"His
master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful
with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in
your master's happiness!'"
--
Matthew 25:21
Millions are unemployed, the
president is entangled in multiple scandals and gasoline costs about $3.50 a
gallon. If you believe the news media, there's not a lot to feel happy or
joyous about these days. But the truth is that millions of people around the
world would do just about anything to trade places with us. That's because even
the poorest of the poor in the United States are considered rich (at least
statistically) when compared with the rest of the humanity.
Of course, poverty and wealth are
relative terms. And they don't respectively go hand-in-hand with misery and
happiness. Money and possessions can be blessings, but having a big bank
account is no guarantee of contentment. And a recent Gallup poll seems to
confirm this biblical truth. It reveals that Panama--a relatively poor
nation--has the population with the most positive emotions in the world. And
the citizens of other impoverished nations such as Paraguay, El Salvador and
Venezuela follow close behind on the happy list. Meanwhile, Singapore--the
nation with the world's highest gross domestic product (GDP)--comes in last place on
the survey. Less than half of the respondents in Singapore said that they
smiled a lot or felt treated with respect. Even the residents of Haiti, Syria
and Afghanistan were more upbeat!
Regardless of what advertisers
would have us believe, money and possessions can't buy happiness and joy. In
fact, the Bible tells us that for many people, excessive wealth can actually be a
stumbling block to spiritual health. Rather than a reaction to something
external--like a new car or piece of jewelry--real joy is an internal source of
gladness and thanksgiving that helps us see the true picture though the most
difficult of circumstances. As Christ-followers, our relationship with Jesus
grants us access to our Creator--a loving Father who hears our prayers and
looks for ways to bless us. So no matter how bad things get in our lives, we
already know that our ultimate story will end on a very positive note.
The life of the Apostle Paul is a
rich illustration of this principle:
"Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea," he wrote in 2 Corinthians. "I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers."
That doesn't sound like a
fun-filled existence. Yet Paul wrote that he was joyful.
With so much negativity in the
world today, what's the secret for achieving a joy-filled, Christ-centered
life? The Bible tells us to blend thanksgiving for our blessings and authentic,
regular prayer with discernment--the ongoing intentional functions of living,
thinking and acting positively. Christ-followers must habitually look for the
good and dwell on the positive.
When we have lives that are
filled with joy, even the most unpleasant of circumstances can't bring us down.
Paul spent years in prison chained to his guards while under the constant
threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully. And instead of feeling sorry
for himself, he used his circumstances to change the lives of fellow prisoners
and jailers alike--and all while writing much of what we today know as the New
Testament.
Yes, times are tough these days.
But Paul's advice to today's weary Christ-followers is all the more simple and
profound:
"Rejoice in the Lord always.
I will say it again: Rejoice!"