Patrick Lencioni recently wrote a book called, Three Signs of a Miserable Job, in which he reports that three quarters of Americans hate their job. Most want to quit and 'do something meaningful,' but don't because they believe they need the income. While there certainly are miserable jobs, Lencioni reports that it isn't just those in dirty, tedious, or low-paying jobs that hate their work. He says that there are three things that make employees miserable: anonymity, irrelevance, and 'immeasurement.' But, where workers make their biggest mistake is in their belief that the solution for their misery lies in someone other than themselves. Consequently, instead of making a difference, many become part of the culture of complaint!
Are you 'in charge' of your happiness? I like being happy! Let's back up and say, joyful! My loving wife would tell you that I am not, by nature, a jolly guy who awakens each day with a smile on his face. I am by temperament, introspective and melancholy. Fun, aren't I? But, I do love to laugh, appreciate a good joke, and find much in life that makes me glad to be who I am. Like most people I know, I tend to believe that joy is the result of fortuitous circumstances, something that results from creating a pleasant situation or some experiences that satisfies some sensual appetite. We think that happiness is something that is created for us rather than by us. Jesus teaches a different thing about being happy.
In the beginning of Matthew 5 there are 10 verses that intrigue me. Three things about these verses are interesting. The first is that they tell us that joy is a blessing of God. The second is that they tell us that joy is the result of our choices. The third is what they tell us produces joy! Here's what Jesus says about a happy life. (They are familiar, but give these lines a thoughtful reading!)
"God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven." (Matthew 5:3-12, NLT)
Not many people would include being poor, mournful, hungry, or persecuted on a list of things that produce happiness, would they? But Jesus did! Why? Because He views the source of true joy as something other than physical comfort, wealth, pleasant situations, good sex, or a full belly. Jesus wants us to know that true joy is God-centered. It involves knowing Him, connecting with Him, and living under His rule. Happiness that comes from having our needs and wants satisfied is real, but temporary. It can be stolen from us by mean people and/or disastrous circumstances. The joy that results from being "God blessed," is constant, steadying us through life in days of sunshine and stormy weather alike.
Take a few moments and ponder this question- Where does joy in my life originate? Who or what do I think will make me a happy person?
It is not an exercise that is purely philosophical, or unrelated to your daily life! Since we spend so much effort, consciously and unconsciously, seeking to make ourselves happy- it is critically important that we understand what we want! Obviously, if we are chasing the wrong goals, true joy will elude us and we will waste many hours and much of our resources on things that turn out to be less than we anticipated that they would be. If we are pursuing God, we will find happiness and a "great reward awaits" in Heaven.
Here's a word from the Word to take through the day. "But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." (Philippians 3:7-8, NKJV)
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