Who is in charge of your holiday happiness?
“But God wants me to be happy, right Pastor?” This was a question from a man years ago who said that he should divorce his wife and go after his mistress. I listened to the mental gymnastics of this man who eventually posed this question to me. I asked him a question in response to his question (yes, I’m trying to follow the footsteps of Jesus here): Does God care more about your happiness or your holiness?
During the holidays, we greet each other with “happy holidays” and “Merry Christmas,” but is it the holiday itself that makes you happy? Is it the gift giving, the people, the music or the food that really makes you happy during this time? I’m not trying to get you down, I’m just trying to remind you that we convince ourselves that our happiness is found in other people, our jobs, our health, and our circumstances. The problem comes when these things start to “let us down,” or when these things “fail” us. If our happiness is connected to these things, then our happiness leaves when these things abandon us. We can make the mistake by believing that other people or circumstances have the power to make us complete or happy. We forget that although we are imperfect people, who live in an imperfect world, we still expect perfection. What is your expectation about the world around you?
William Shakespeare once said, “Expectation is the root of all heartache,” and I agree. Think about it, what has been the cause of all past unhappiness, depression, or even despair, if not unmet expectations?
I read a story from a devotion a few days ago. It was about a missionary couple who had faithfully served others their entire lives in a remote, third-world country. The time had come for them to pass the baton and return home to the United States. After the plane landed, they looked out the window and saw a group of smiling people gathered around. The husband was overjoyed to see so many there to welcome them back. His joy was short-lived when they got off the plane and realized the group wasn’t waiting for them but for a celebrity who was onboard their flight. With tears in his eyes and his expectations shattered, the husband whispered to his wife, “Not one person showed up for us, not even one. Why? We’ve given our whole life for others, and this is our reward?” The wife lovingly took her husband’s arm and gently reminded him of a glorious truth. “Honey, we aren’t home yet.”
The Bible tells us no eye has seen or ear has heard all the wonderful things God has in store for His children, but we need to remember that we aren’t home yet. Someday, our expectations will be exceedingly, abundantly met. In the meantime, we are being trained for eternity and taught to trust Him in every situation. Our story is still being written, so let’s refuse to allow unmet expectations to rob us of our joy because, as children of God, the best is yet to come.
Remember, Wednesday night is our Children’s Christmas musical. Supper starts at 5 pm and the musical begins at 6 pm.
Have a Jesus-filled week!
Pastor Todd
During the holidays, we greet each other with “happy holidays” and “Merry Christmas,” but is it the holiday itself that makes you happy? Is it the gift giving, the people, the music or the food that really makes you happy during this time? I’m not trying to get you down, I’m just trying to remind you that we convince ourselves that our happiness is found in other people, our jobs, our health, and our circumstances. The problem comes when these things start to “let us down,” or when these things “fail” us. If our happiness is connected to these things, then our happiness leaves when these things abandon us. We can make the mistake by believing that other people or circumstances have the power to make us complete or happy. We forget that although we are imperfect people, who live in an imperfect world, we still expect perfection. What is your expectation about the world around you?
William Shakespeare once said, “Expectation is the root of all heartache,” and I agree. Think about it, what has been the cause of all past unhappiness, depression, or even despair, if not unmet expectations?
I read a story from a devotion a few days ago. It was about a missionary couple who had faithfully served others their entire lives in a remote, third-world country. The time had come for them to pass the baton and return home to the United States. After the plane landed, they looked out the window and saw a group of smiling people gathered around. The husband was overjoyed to see so many there to welcome them back. His joy was short-lived when they got off the plane and realized the group wasn’t waiting for them but for a celebrity who was onboard their flight. With tears in his eyes and his expectations shattered, the husband whispered to his wife, “Not one person showed up for us, not even one. Why? We’ve given our whole life for others, and this is our reward?” The wife lovingly took her husband’s arm and gently reminded him of a glorious truth. “Honey, we aren’t home yet.”
The Bible tells us no eye has seen or ear has heard all the wonderful things God has in store for His children, but we need to remember that we aren’t home yet. Someday, our expectations will be exceedingly, abundantly met. In the meantime, we are being trained for eternity and taught to trust Him in every situation. Our story is still being written, so let’s refuse to allow unmet expectations to rob us of our joy because, as children of God, the best is yet to come.
Remember, Wednesday night is our Children’s Christmas musical. Supper starts at 5 pm and the musical begins at 6 pm.
Have a Jesus-filled week!
Pastor Todd
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