“HAPPY NEW YEAR!” That’s a greeting that I dare say all of us have used at some point or another. But what exactly do we mean when we say it? There is a Chinese proverb that states, “If you wish to be happy for one hour, get intoxicated. If you wish to be happy for three days, get married. If you wish to be happy for eight days, kill your pig and eat it. If you wish to be happy forever, learn to fish.”
Of course we all know that happiness is a choice, like so much in life. As we face a New Year, we decide what kind of attitude we take along with us. We can choose to feel good or bad. We can either permit difficulties to master us, or we can ride right on over them. Personally, I have always believed that there are three essentials to true and lasting happiness: (1) Something to do (purpose); (2) someone to love (relationship); (3) something to hope for (the future).
Think about these for a moment. They are absolutely essential for a feeling of well-being. All three of them are linked inextricably to the Lord God. He alone can provide us with the highest sense of purpose known to man—to serve Him and others—to lose our life for the sake of others.
We all need someone to love. We were created for relationship. To embrace the notion that God loves us and wants us to be intimately acquainted with Him will serve as the centerpoint of happiness.
And when we contemplate hope, what more needs to be said? The future belongs to those who belong to God. Sad are those who are devoid of hope. They need not be. The God of hope waits to fill their lives with his sure promises.
Many years ago, a little boy was given a priceless possession—his deceased grandfather’s gold pocket watch. How he treasured it! But one day, while playing at his father’s ice plant, he lost the watch amid all the ice and sawdust. He searched and scratched, becoming frantic, but no watch. Then he suddenly realized what to do. He stopped scurrying around and became very still. In the silence he heard the watch ticking.
God has given each of us a priceless gift of joy in Jesus. How easy it is to lose our joy in the scurrying around of life. Yet it is always there to find, if we will but pause and listen to the beautiful presence of Jesus.
Of course we all know that happiness is a choice, like so much in life. As we face a New Year, we decide what kind of attitude we take along with us. We can choose to feel good or bad. We can either permit difficulties to master us, or we can ride right on over them. Personally, I have always believed that there are three essentials to true and lasting happiness: (1) Something to do (purpose); (2) someone to love (relationship); (3) something to hope for (the future).
Think about these for a moment. They are absolutely essential for a feeling of well-being. All three of them are linked inextricably to the Lord God. He alone can provide us with the highest sense of purpose known to man—to serve Him and others—to lose our life for the sake of others.
We all need someone to love. We were created for relationship. To embrace the notion that God loves us and wants us to be intimately acquainted with Him will serve as the centerpoint of happiness.
And when we contemplate hope, what more needs to be said? The future belongs to those who belong to God. Sad are those who are devoid of hope. They need not be. The God of hope waits to fill their lives with his sure promises.
Many years ago, a little boy was given a priceless possession—his deceased grandfather’s gold pocket watch. How he treasured it! But one day, while playing at his father’s ice plant, he lost the watch amid all the ice and sawdust. He searched and scratched, becoming frantic, but no watch. Then he suddenly realized what to do. He stopped scurrying around and became very still. In the silence he heard the watch ticking.
God has given each of us a priceless gift of joy in Jesus. How easy it is to lose our joy in the scurrying around of life. Yet it is always there to find, if we will but pause and listen to the beautiful presence of Jesus.
posted by kazookid | 8:24 AM
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