"You Deserve to be Happy"

Forbes Magazine wrote an article a few years ago about unhappy habits. In other words, things we do that we believe will make us happy but actually do not make us happy. Things like: waiting on the future, acquiring stuff, avoiding people and staying home, complaining and seeing yourself as a victim.

The whisper we hear from the enemy, Satan, is that you deserve to be happy. And that is a ubiquitous theme throughout our American culture. But if you make happiness the central point of your life, you’ll notice it’s always an arm length away. It will always allude you.

So, you’re telling me God doesn’t want me to be happy? Somehow, my desire to be happy gets morphed into “God wants me to be happy.” What I think will make me happy somehow becomes what God wants. God is a loving father and his desire is for his children to experience joy in their life. The issue is we take what culture says will make us happy and assume that’s God’s version of our happiness.

You see, culture tells us the pursuit of pleasure will bring us happiness. When you read through the book of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, we find that chasing all the money, all the fame, all the sex, all the relationships and the fortune this life can offer is like chasing the wind. Solomon, who did all that, says it’s meaningless.

God tells us pursuing holiness is what will bring you happiness. The Psalmist writes in Psalm 1:1-3, “Happy is the person who doesn’t follow the world but delights in mediating on God and His ways” (paraphrased). God defines happiness different than culture.

But the world goes on to say happiness is based on your circumstances or what’s happening around you. You look at any commercial on TV or social media. Every one of them are saying you’d be happier if you buy this product or act this way or have this lifestyle. 2024 Gallup Poll measured the happiness of countries around the world. America came in at #23. With all we have in America, 22 countries are happier than we are.

It’s a reminder that happiness is based on Christ. Paul knew this as he states in Philippians 4:11-12. He was happy or joyful in any circumstance because it didn’t matter what was going on in life as long as he was connected to Jesus. And he wrote that from a prison cell. See, happiness is based on happenings; joy is based on Jesus.

Culture says our happiness is based on comparisons. All of us look at social media. And all of us post only the best pics on media. As we scroll through those, we see we aren’t as pretty or fit or popular or fun. So we try to do more and keep up with the Joneses.

But God says our happiness is fueled by gratitude. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in every situation…” Our demeanor as a believer is to find the things that are praiseworthy and focus on the life we have in Christ. It doesn’t mean we will always have smiles and life will always be a bowl of cherries. But it does mean our focus is on Jesus and what He’s done for us.

Finally, culture tells us life is about you, look out for #1, I’m in it for me. Currently, we live in an incredibly entitled culture. “I have everything coming to me and I’m going to get it no matter the cost.” That’s how our culture thinks. Everyone exclaims they have rights and are owed something. Even if I have to step on you to get, I’m going to claim what’s mine.

But God says happiness is actually when you focus on others and live as second. When we decide to humble ourselves is when we actually find joy. It’s when we find the peace in life we truly want. Serving others will ultimately bring you happiness. Try it and see if this doesn’t change your spirit.

Jesus said in Matthew 10:39, “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.” As believers, we want to imitate Jesus. He served others and laid down his life for us. If we are truly disciples, we’ll have the same mindset. Happiness is found in Jesus. Follow him closely. Do what He did. Blessings on the journey.

Simplify

The world is full of things that will distract you from your purpose and life’s meaning. King Solomon lived about 3000 years ago but his wisdom recorded in Ecclesiastes is so profound for our current state of life in America. Americans are overwhelmed with perceived expectations from work, culture, family and friends. It can be debilitating and paralyzing. But Solomon gives us a moment to discover clarity and peace in Ecclesiastes.

See, we need a bigger God theology. That means, we don’t minimize our stories. I know many of us are dealing with a prolonged illness or adult children who have left God or the end of a career and no enough money to retire. There are lots of things that can bog down our process of becoming everything God created us to be. But a bigger God theology states that, despite our circumstances, God is bigger than that thing we are dealing with in our life.

So in Ecclesiastes, King Solomon gives us four things to consider if we want to move post those road blocks and move on to a more productive and joyful life.

First Solomon reminds us that we can’t control outcomes. We had ideas about what our marriage would look like. In our mind, it was going to be Disney-like…a fairy tale. We got married and it was different than we thought. It’s a great marriage and fulfilling but it’s not like we dreamed it would be. You can’t control outcomes.

Our kids grow up and make choices that would not be the ones we would have made for them. They end up going to a different college, moving away from us and even marrying someone we don’t think is a fit. No matter how hard we try, we can’t control other people. In Ecclesiastes 7:14, Solomon reminds us, “…nothing is certain in this life.”

But he also tells us that power cannot bring pleasure. And he should know. He was the most powerful, wisest king in his day and at the end of his life, he’s saying power is like a vapor, like chasing the wind. No matter the title on your office door, no matter how much sway you have in the market place, no matter if you’re the patriarch or matriarch in your family, Solomon reminds us that we will never find joy in the power we wield.

Solomon knows about people getting a leg up even though they don’t follow God. But he reminds us in Ecclesiastes 8:12, “…those that fear God are better off.” Fear or respect God and you will not fear death. Solomon is at at the end of his life as he dictates Ecclesiastes and he knows death is the great equalizer. He says as you follow God it may look like others have more money and prestige, more pull and position. Those people may not be following God and no matter what it looks like, those that fear God are better off.

Finally, Solomon calls us to find joy in ordinary life. In Ecclesiastes 8:15 and 9:7-10, he says we should love our work and eating because they are gifts from God. Enjoy the life God has given you. Enjoy your marriage and just the rhythm of life. You don’t need to be a social media influencer or have a life with a big splash. Enjoy the natural and normal ebb and flow of life. It’s all from God.

So may you find joy as we begin a new school year. May you discover true purpose of your raise your kids and enjoy your marriage. May you feel the presence of God in your life as you live into your purpose. Blessings on the journey.

Rediscovering Joy.

My guess is that most of us have had joyful moments. Those that made our hearts leap and smile. Like when she said “yes”; or you held your first born child in the delivery room. Maybe it was when you achieved some monumental task like graduating college or paying off the student loan debt.

But in Psalms 16, David is going to remind us, no matter your life experience, there’s only one place to find real joy.

I know every time I put faith in my own abilities, I come up short. I know David did that too. He says in verses 1-2 that joy cannot be found in yourself. God has got to be the thing you trust in, put your faith in, find joy in. In just 2 verses, David uses 3 different words for God, each one getting closer in relationship. He says the generic name for God (El) but then uses the very personal, covenantal name of God (YWHW). But finally ending with the Hebrew word, Adonai, which means “Master”. Joy is found not in yourself but in an almighty God. The closer you get to God, the happier you will become.

Secondly, David reminds us joy isn’t found in your troubled companions. See, some of us can’t find real joy in life because you have some friendships that do not care much for God. So if you want to find joy, get rid of the people in your life that are pulling you down. If you want to be more godly, then hang out with Godly people.

Third, joy can’t be found in worldly possessions. Too many times, we fill our lives with material stuff like the house, car, job titles, money…all of which will not get us closer to God. Instead of longing for more stuff, David says long for God and his presence. A sign of mature faith is when you realize that God is all you have and you decide God is all you want. Check out what Paul says in 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

Finally, David reveals real joy is found in God’s presence. When we consciously seek God in our every day life, God will even instruct us when we are sleeping. I’m reminded that God knows my story and will always be with me (see Isaiah 41:10). I can rest safely because of God’s presence. I can rejoice because of God’s presence. My heart is glad because of God’s presence. Finding God is finding joy.

Consider David, a guy who had everything and did everything. He was king of his country and led armies. He conquered other countries and had untold wealth. His relationships were many. After all he accomplished in life…after all of his experiences, David said real joy is found only in God. So do what you need to in order to pull God closer to your life and when you do, you’ll realize in him is where you will be most happy. Blessings on the journey.

Big Valley.

The year has been trying and testy. We have been challenged in our work, buying habits, school, homework, travel, church connections…well, just about every facet of “normal” life has been changed. None the less, the Christmas season has arrived! We celebrate Jesus coming to earth to live among us, create among us, die among us, and conquer all among us.

I remember earlier this year when we said, “If we can just make it to December.” Guess what? You made it! The grace of God is good all the time. But how do we experience the thrill of hope when we find ourselves in the valley.

Now, we love the mountaintop experiences with God. It’s easy to feel the presence of God when we bring our first child home from the hospital or deposit our first real paycheck from our first real job or hear from the doctor that we are finally cancer free.

It’s difficult to feel God’s presence when you’re in the valley. Moments when you receive the divorce papers or hear you can’t have children or the doctor says the cancer has returned. Or even years when you find yourself in a pandemic. So, where is God when you are in the valley?

I know this: we enjoy God on the mountain top but we do get to know him intimately in the valley. The Psalmist reminds us of some things in Psalm 84:5-7. Israelites traveled on pilgrimage to Jerusalem off and on all year long. Jerusalem sits on top of a mountain. So to get to the incredible City of David, one had to travel through the valley to reach it.

Sometimes in life to get to a place of true appreciation of God, you have to push through some pain to get to the goodness! The writer reminds us to set our mind on things of God. What you think about matters! Paul knew that and admonished us to do that very thing in Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:8. Set your minds on heavenly things, not earthly things.

You may be thinking about how you will travel this holiday season with COVID restrictions in place or how to pay for the kid’s gifts since you were downsized at work or maybe you’re facing a past holiday tragedy that you must face every year at this time. Whatever the valley you find yourself in, remember that greater is the one in me than the one who is in the world. Say out loud, “My God is going before me to prepare a place for me.” Rediscover that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you and solidify that you are more than a conqueror.

But I’m also reminded in our text the we are pilgrims…just passing through. You see, the valley is not our destination! When we find ourselves in a valley moment, remember that God will not leave you. Prepare to meet him in your difficulty. Make provision for his provision. If you prepare it, he will fill it. If you seek him, you will find him. Slow down and seek him out. God rarely reveals himself to hurried people. It’s probably why he said, “Be still and know that I am God.”

Know that God will provide strength on strength for you as you walk through your valley. We do enjoy the mountain top but we get to know God in the valley. When you feel weak he’s your strength. When you find yourself in darkness, he’ll be your light. When you are in trouble, he’ll be your joy. When you are in pain, he’ll be your comfort.

May God reveal himself to you and may you have the courage to embrace him. He’ll never leave you. He’s always with you. He is Immanuel…”God is with Us”. Blessings on the journey.