Can you imagine going into a nursing home and visiting an old friend, only to find out that she had more joy than you did? We didn't need to worry about Esther—we needed what she had. Esther had discovered that the secret of true, lasting joy is not seeking joy for yourself but for others.
Matthew 23:11–12 says, "But the greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled, and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted." Esther possessed a truly humble heart. When you were with her, her attention was on you. The way she listened made you feel special. She genuinely loved people, and it showed.
She wasn't just curious—she would help people in any way she could. She gave them her time, her energy, and anything else she could. Mostly, in her later years, that was her powerful prayer and encouragement. She always believed the best of others and the best for others. Esther had faith that wouldn't give up on people.
She lived 1 Corinthians 13:7: "Love believes all things, looking for the best in each one." She chose to believe God's best for each person she met. The key to Esther's life and her consummate joy was a servant heart. She was one of the few people I've met who truly didn't live for herself.
She found joy in living for others. The result of Esther's servant heart was an extraordinary life—a life filled with extraordinary joy. She attracted people to her because of her buoyant spirit and infectious joy. She was fun—funny, too. Even as her physical strength faltered, her joy never did.
Her trust in Jesus never wavered. She saw life and people through His eyes, and it made her beautiful. I was inspired by my dear friend—she inspired me to live more for others. The times when I've cared more about others than myself, I've found that serving others is one of the secrets of true, lasting joy.