Recently I was told something very interesting. Probably the most interesting part was that it was hardly interesting at the time, but I just kept thinking and thinking about it. So, anyways, I was told that this person was raised to believe that the life of a Christian is always supposed to be happy and cheerful and non-depressing because, after all, you're saved and your sins are forgiven you. I kinda laughed at this in my head and then I started thinking about it. That's when things always start going South, isn't it? When I start thinking about things. Anyways, I started thinking about how this is exactly how Christians are raised today: be happy. Be happy even if it means some sort of cheesy smile to get you through the day. Just, be happy.
Do you know how disturbing I find all of this? If I recall correctly Jesus wasn't exactly "happy" about dying on the cross. In Luke 22 He says "'...yet not my will, but yours be done'". Jesus Christ is the perfect example and He wasn't "happy" as we think of it today--what feels good or pleases yourself. That's not what Christ had in mind at all. His joy rested on what God wanted for Him.
When I started thinking about this, I realized that it kinda turned our culture upside down a bit. But, you know what, it's something more than just "being happy". In fact, I don't think it's about something as shallow as "happy" at all. Dude, this is about joy in Christ. Not in yourself, your family, your life or anything else (even including the fact that some lucky people get two spring breaks. Ah, the bliss...). The hardest part about all of this, I find, is that joy in Christ doesn't always equal personal happiness.
/sigh/ I will just stop being happy now, I guess. /sigh/
Do you know how disturbing I find all of this? If I recall correctly Jesus wasn't exactly "happy" about dying on the cross. In Luke 22 He says "'...yet not my will, but yours be done'". Jesus Christ is the perfect example and He wasn't "happy" as we think of it today--what feels good or pleases yourself. That's not what Christ had in mind at all. His joy rested on what God wanted for Him.
When I started thinking about this, I realized that it kinda turned our culture upside down a bit. But, you know what, it's something more than just "being happy". In fact, I don't think it's about something as shallow as "happy" at all. Dude, this is about joy in Christ. Not in yourself, your family, your life or anything else (even including the fact that some lucky people get two spring breaks. Ah, the bliss...). The hardest part about all of this, I find, is that joy in Christ doesn't always equal personal happiness.
/sigh/ I will just stop being happy now, I guess. /sigh/
