A friend sent me a link to a discussion on NPR (National Public Radio) regarding happiness. Part of the program was an analysis of a group of students from a prestigious university. They studied their lives from graduation through various stages of their lives (some to the end). Many of these students may be said to have been born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Most have lived unhappy, if not tragic, lives. Why?
The program seemed to conclude that when we pursue happiness, we fall short of finding it. But when we strive, instead, for a fulfilling life (although definitions varied), often happiness follows. Working diligently, partaking in moderation, enduring trials, and nurturing good relationships became the pillars the specialists surmised as the means of finding this satisfaction.
To these experts, this is a new discovery. To those of us familiar with the Bible, this is very old news.
Regarding relationships and hard work, the Bible says: "Enjoy life with the wife of your youth, all the days of your fleeting life that He has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might..." Ecclesiastes 9:9-10
Moderation: "And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit..." Ephesians 5:18
Enduring trials: "The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. It is better for a man to hear the rebuke of the wise than to hear the song of fools." Ecclesiastes 7:4-5
These are just a few of the many verses that discuss our pursuit and focus in life, on what brings ultimate satisfaction.
Ironically, as the Bible has said for thousands of years and as mankind discovers and rediscovers (and forgets), it is not in aiming for what we want that we find happiness, but in aiming for what is right that we find what we have always wanted.
The most important aim, only alluded to in NPR's analysis, is this:
"The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with ever secret thing, whether good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
C.S. Lewis said, and he sums this up perfectly:
"Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither."
26 July 2009
19 July 2009
Who is Your God?
Starting as a teenager, I have seen an obvious tendency in my own life toward idolatry. No, I've never set up an image and bowed down to it; I've never placed food out for some tangible or intangible idol, but I have worshipped in the temple of my heart images other than God.
Some may think I'm overreacting. The USA is quite liberal in her use of the term idol, with such shows as American Idol. Is all this wrong?
It's all about the heart. God has used symbols, He has used practices, He has used music, He has used wide varieties of things in the past that people still use, but with which we break His heart. Why? Because of our hearts.
In the midst of God's use of the sacrificial system to point to Jesus as the Lamb to come and take away our sin, the Psalmist wrote,
"In sacrifice and offering You have not delighted, but You have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come...I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.'" Psalm 40:6-8
The psalm had a broader reference than just the Psalmist, but I believe it was the reflection of God's true desire. He wants our heart. Yes, He wants obedience, but not just the outward display. He wants an obedience that flows out of love.
What started me thinking on this was a quote of Augustine's that a friend of mine posted this week: "He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."
Augustine cut at the heart of my struggle. It's not that I replace God, in my own thinking, but that I place another person, idea, priority on the same level. I may pray and spend time with God. Then realize this other god is vying for thoughts and emotions. These times prove to me that I love Him "too little."
I need to learn a love of God that is supreme above other loves, to learn to love everyone--family, friends, etc--FOR THE SAKE of Christ and not the perceived merits of that person.
My mental preacher tells me how things should be, but mind over emotions is tiring.
So, what about you? What is it that distracts you from loving God with all your heart? Is it your own ambitions? Someone else? Dreams? Disappointments? Fears?
Unfortunately, none of us are immune from the struggle. Fortunately, we can have victory.
Some may think I'm overreacting. The USA is quite liberal in her use of the term idol, with such shows as American Idol. Is all this wrong?
It's all about the heart. God has used symbols, He has used practices, He has used music, He has used wide varieties of things in the past that people still use, but with which we break His heart. Why? Because of our hearts.
In the midst of God's use of the sacrificial system to point to Jesus as the Lamb to come and take away our sin, the Psalmist wrote,
"In sacrifice and offering You have not delighted, but You have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering You have not required. Then I said, 'Behold, I have come...I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.'" Psalm 40:6-8
The psalm had a broader reference than just the Psalmist, but I believe it was the reflection of God's true desire. He wants our heart. Yes, He wants obedience, but not just the outward display. He wants an obedience that flows out of love.
What started me thinking on this was a quote of Augustine's that a friend of mine posted this week: "He loves Thee too little who loves anything together with Thee, which he loves not for Thy sake."
Augustine cut at the heart of my struggle. It's not that I replace God, in my own thinking, but that I place another person, idea, priority on the same level. I may pray and spend time with God. Then realize this other god is vying for thoughts and emotions. These times prove to me that I love Him "too little."
I need to learn a love of God that is supreme above other loves, to learn to love everyone--family, friends, etc--FOR THE SAKE of Christ and not the perceived merits of that person.
My mental preacher tells me how things should be, but mind over emotions is tiring.
So, what about you? What is it that distracts you from loving God with all your heart? Is it your own ambitions? Someone else? Dreams? Disappointments? Fears?
Unfortunately, none of us are immune from the struggle. Fortunately, we can have victory.
11 July 2009
Spiritual Lessons from My Cat
My cat, Chiara, just turned ten this year. Throughout her life, I have contemplated some of the interesting things she's taught me about myself and my walk with God. Two lessons come to mind now.
While Chiara was young, I had her spayed and declawed. She, of course, could not understand why I was taking her and leaving her at that scary, strange place full of pain and dangerous smells. I assured her it would be alright. When I picked her up the next day, she was a bit sick, but very affectionate.
As I thought about how horrible it must have seemed that I caused this pain by bringing her there, and then her sweet acceptance and trust of me after, I thought about my own reaction to trials. I doubt I often accept them, at least at first, with such trust in the righteous wisdom of my Master. Instinctively, I think I'm getting a bum rap. Then I remember exactly who I am and who He is; although, my emotions take longer to bring into check. How wonderful it would be if I could trust His hand as He places me in surgery. And, as I heal, praise Him for His goodness, even though I may not know the reason for the pain.
Also in Chiara's young life, I had a couple occasions where I lost my temper with her. She is a very vocal cat. Sleeping and driving were the times she tried my patience and found them wanting. I yelled at her and picked her up. She cowered. I still feel sick when I jokingly say something to her in a tone that she takes as angry, and she flinches. What amazes me, though, is how she trusts me still. She would allow me to do most anything with her. She greets me at the door when I come home, follows me around the house, brings me her toys to throw, sleeps with me, and wants to always be near me.
Although a vastly imperfect analogy, her forgiveness reminds me both of God's forgiveness and the kind of forgiveness we are told to give. Although lashed out at, misunderstood, misrepresented, etc., when we seek His forgiveness, God does not keep bringing up our past. He is eager to forgive the truly repentant. Not just forgive, but He trusts us again, as we follow Him, with His Word and His testimony. Then, He asks us to give the same forgiveness to each other.
If you have fallen, don't stay there. Confess your sins to God and leave them with Him. If someone has hurt you, remember the sins God could list to your account, but instead He forgave. If you're going through a painful time, trust God that the surgery is necessary and for your good, even if you don't ever know why.
While Chiara was young, I had her spayed and declawed. She, of course, could not understand why I was taking her and leaving her at that scary, strange place full of pain and dangerous smells. I assured her it would be alright. When I picked her up the next day, she was a bit sick, but very affectionate.
As I thought about how horrible it must have seemed that I caused this pain by bringing her there, and then her sweet acceptance and trust of me after, I thought about my own reaction to trials. I doubt I often accept them, at least at first, with such trust in the righteous wisdom of my Master. Instinctively, I think I'm getting a bum rap. Then I remember exactly who I am and who He is; although, my emotions take longer to bring into check. How wonderful it would be if I could trust His hand as He places me in surgery. And, as I heal, praise Him for His goodness, even though I may not know the reason for the pain.
Also in Chiara's young life, I had a couple occasions where I lost my temper with her. She is a very vocal cat. Sleeping and driving were the times she tried my patience and found them wanting. I yelled at her and picked her up. She cowered. I still feel sick when I jokingly say something to her in a tone that she takes as angry, and she flinches. What amazes me, though, is how she trusts me still. She would allow me to do most anything with her. She greets me at the door when I come home, follows me around the house, brings me her toys to throw, sleeps with me, and wants to always be near me.
Although a vastly imperfect analogy, her forgiveness reminds me both of God's forgiveness and the kind of forgiveness we are told to give. Although lashed out at, misunderstood, misrepresented, etc., when we seek His forgiveness, God does not keep bringing up our past. He is eager to forgive the truly repentant. Not just forgive, but He trusts us again, as we follow Him, with His Word and His testimony. Then, He asks us to give the same forgiveness to each other.
If you have fallen, don't stay there. Confess your sins to God and leave them with Him. If someone has hurt you, remember the sins God could list to your account, but instead He forgave. If you're going through a painful time, trust God that the surgery is necessary and for your good, even if you don't ever know why.
05 July 2009
Enduring the Heat
One of my greatest weaknesses in tests of endurance is the nagging question "how long?" If I can see an end, I can force my emotions, my will to push a little longer. If I can't, I have sometimes stopped at the threshold of the finish line.
As I've thought about how I can direct my focus to my eternal target, I have often contemplated how martyrs do it, going to the death through some gruesome method. In reading Psalm 74 this week, I wondered if their lessons may have consisted of similar disciplines learned long before the trial.
Asaph, the Psalmist, wails over Israel's defeat by her enemies. He goes into details for the first nine verses of the destruction, calling God to turn His "steps toward these everlasting ruins."
In verse ten, Asaph asks my question: "How long...?" and "Why do you hold back your hand...?"
This is where the lesson begins. In verse twelve, Asaph remembers:
Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Asaph reminisces God's faithfulness in the past. He recounts times when God did big and awesome things, as well His daily provisions and power that he may have taken for granted.
With this track record, Asaph pleads with God to be faithful to His covenant, to act justly, to defend the defenseless, to honor His name.
Jeremiah 31:31 says that God has made a new covenant with us, one dealing with our hearts. Hebrews 12:24 explains further that Jesus is the mediator of this covenant, which is sealed by His blood.
For those who have accepted God's covenant with us, when you are going through times where your heart is aching, your health is failing, and the future looks grim, keep recalling God's faithfulness; remember the big things He has done, but don't forget the spring flowers, the beautiful sunset, the laughter of children, the feel of the breeze. He has been faithful to you. You can trust Him with the "how long?"
For those who are winging it through life, blindly feeling about for the path, He says, "'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
To have hope, you must start with the Hope-Giver. There is no true and lasting hope outside of Jesus. Accept, remember, and don't let anyone forget.
As I've thought about how I can direct my focus to my eternal target, I have often contemplated how martyrs do it, going to the death through some gruesome method. In reading Psalm 74 this week, I wondered if their lessons may have consisted of similar disciplines learned long before the trial.
Asaph, the Psalmist, wails over Israel's defeat by her enemies. He goes into details for the first nine verses of the destruction, calling God to turn His "steps toward these everlasting ruins."
In verse ten, Asaph asks my question: "How long...?" and "Why do you hold back your hand...?"
This is where the lesson begins. In verse twelve, Asaph remembers:
Yet God my King is from of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.
Asaph reminisces God's faithfulness in the past. He recounts times when God did big and awesome things, as well His daily provisions and power that he may have taken for granted.
With this track record, Asaph pleads with God to be faithful to His covenant, to act justly, to defend the defenseless, to honor His name.
Jeremiah 31:31 says that God has made a new covenant with us, one dealing with our hearts. Hebrews 12:24 explains further that Jesus is the mediator of this covenant, which is sealed by His blood.
For those who have accepted God's covenant with us, when you are going through times where your heart is aching, your health is failing, and the future looks grim, keep recalling God's faithfulness; remember the big things He has done, but don't forget the spring flowers, the beautiful sunset, the laughter of children, the feel of the breeze. He has been faithful to you. You can trust Him with the "how long?"
For those who are winging it through life, blindly feeling about for the path, He says, "'In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.' Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Corinthians 6:2)
To have hope, you must start with the Hope-Giver. There is no true and lasting hope outside of Jesus. Accept, remember, and don't let anyone forget.
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