Happy, happy, happy!

The “Duck Dynasty” phenomenon sweeping the US has introduced a new phrase, said with a Louisiana drawl – “happy, happy, happy.”  Phil, the patriarch of the family, deals with life’s trials by encouraging his clan to be happy.  The self-described ‘redneck’ appears to have learned something about choosing joy,  Are you 'in charge' of your happiness?  If, by that I mean, can we choose pleasant paths for each day, the answer is a resounding, “No!”  But, if we’re talking about how we respond to life, choosing to live in a way that sows the seeds of joy, we must say, “Yes!”

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.  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 we read ‘the Beatitudes,’  the ‘blesseds.’    Three things about these verses are interesting. 

·         The first is that they tell us that joy is a gift 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, youth, or a rich food.  Jesus wants us to know that true joy is God-centered.  When we live though circumstances that turn our hearts to Him, when we reach out to Him, and when we choose to let Him reign as our Lord:  we enter into the ‘blessed’ (joyful) life.   Happiness that comes from having our needs and wants satisfied is real. There is no denying the enjoyment of a wealth, health, and sunshine.  However, these things come and go. They 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 these questions- 
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. It is quite practical.  Since we spend so much effort, consciously and unconsciously, seeking to make ourselves happy- does it not make sense to consciously understand what we want?   If we are chasing the wrong goals, happiness will elude us.  We will waste many hours and great 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.  "Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!" (Psalm 32:10-11, NIV)

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Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,

God of glory, Lord of love.

Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,

Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

Drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness

Fill us with the light of day.

Thou art giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest.

Wellspring of the joy of living,

Ocean depth of happy rest.

Thou our Father, Christ, our Brother;

All who live in love are Thine.

Teach us how to love each other,

Lift us to the joy divine.

Edward Hodges | Henry Van Dyke | Ludwig van Beethoven

Public Domain