Is Happiness Stealing Our Joy?

 by Chris Jones

You know that feeling, the one you get when you’ve gone out of your way for someone. Weather in response to that “still, small voice” or personal gumption, there’s a sense of a greater call we tap into when we help those in need. It’s the inexpressible emotions of uniting in labor with Missionaries in the field. It’s the reward found in our sacrifice to make sure others don’t go without. It’s the peace that settles after sharing the grief of the broken and hurting. It’s unspeakable and enduring joy.

While such joy is the theme of life for some, it’s all too rare a glimpse of God’s glory for most. It makes me wonder, is the pursuit of happiness stealing our joy?

While it may seem like a matter of semantics to many, some will agree that there’s an undeniable difference in the happiness that comes from the pursuit of earthly goals and the joy we discover in the work of God’s Kingdom, being His love extended to the overlooked, the devalued, the forgotten, the “least” among us. None-the-less, we spend the greater part of our resources in a lopsided pursuit of a temporary happiness that expires as the luster of our possessions fades, inspiring us to believe that “bigger” and “better” will somehow satisfy the restless desire for our hearts to be filled.

In this context, it’s hard to ignore John’s urging to “…not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.” Peter also acknowledges the key to this joy when he said, “You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

Christmas is a natural time of benevolence, and the joy that comes with giving. We’ve missed something though, if we believe God’s intent was that the birth of his Son would merely inspire a season of giving. Rather, His gift to us is that we needn’t settle for the “happiness” of this world, but that we share in the joy of being ambassadors for His Kingdom, giving completely of ourselves in service to others.

Are We Doing It Wrong?

 by Chris Jones

If there’s really power in prayer, why is it too often neglected? If there’s a promise that “prayer…has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16), what keeps us from tapping into it? Has something changed about God’s promises? Are we somehow not eligible for those benefits? Have we developed a sense of futility with it all? Or, is it possible that we’re just not doing it correctly?

Paul gives us direct advice concerning our approach to prayer. In Colossians 4:2, he says, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart”.

Devote yourself to prayer.

You’re probably familiar with Paul urging the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing“. Paul’s not suggesting we literally live on our knees. Rather, he’s encouraging us to stay in constant communion with the Father. Don’t miss the meaning of this beautiful word, “communion”. One dictionary defines it as “the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings, especially when the exchange is on a mental or spiritual level”. Don’t just come to God when your back is against the wall. Take full advantage of the direct access you have to Him, in good times and bad.

Pray with an alert mind.

Can anyone successfully argue that God doesn’t deserve our full attention? Effective prayer requires engagement, free from all distractions. Find moments in your day, when you can silence everything around you, and fully engage with God. There just isn’t a substitute for spending quality time in His presence, fully aware of the privilege to have deep, intimate connection with the Father.

Pray with a thankful heart.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. (Psalm 100)”

I think it would be an error to believe a thankful heart “primes the pump”, somehow ingratiating us to God. Instead, a thankful heart breeds a humble spirit. Hopefully, we haven’t flipped the script, supposing God to be at our bidding, a servant to respond to our demands. He cares greatly for us, and will not refuse a broken and repentant heart (Psalm 51). Make your request known to God, understanding that He has already given us His greatest gift, in His Son, Jesus Christ.

If there’s a missing link in the story of our faith, I believe it’s the absence of the power and authority in which we should live as followers of Jesus Christ. Develop a habit of devoted, alert and thankful prayer. It’s the key to God’s unlimited provision, and will produce evidence the world cannot refuse.