Candace Payne, made a Facebook video on May 19 VIRAL Facebook video (with over 130 Million Views- see it Below) about buying a Chewbacca Star Wars mask at a store and trying on inside her car in the parking lot. This mom of two has done stand-up comedy. She said in an interview with the Christian Examiner that her joy – from her faith in Jesus Christ.
"As far as the joy aspect, it is much deeper than the Chewbacca mask," Payne said. "It was fun watching it go viral and fun watching people get some joy out of it, too," but at the core of real joy is faith.
Payne, a worship leader since age 14, sings, plays the guitar and writes music.
She and her husband of 15 years met in church and found their "love story" there and have volunteered in student ministry together since then. They worship with their two children at a church southwest of Dallas.
"We have a heart for our local church and just being obedient to God in the way we raise our kids and love our friends," Payne said. She has also been told by others they have struggled with depression and anxiety and been uplifted by the video. "It really is about thanking God for every single thing we have. When you have a heart that is grateful, we laugh more."
Paraphrasing, Payne reference John 10:10: "10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and [a]have it abundantly. (NASB)"
People often confuse joy with laughter, Payne said, but joy doesn't mean that. Indeed, "you will cry more; feel and hunger for thing passionately (when you have faith in Christ); you will experience joy at a fuller level you will ever think possible."
"Joy will radiate that faith," Payne said, just like when inside the mask, she was radiating faith "from Jesus who promises me I will have a fuller life."
"When people see that they are attracted to Jesus and His fullness and everybody loves that, every loves that," she repeated.
Payne introduced the video, which has gained tens of thousand of viewers every hour since, with the message, "It's the simple joys in life ...." Edited from the Christian Examiner
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