The most popular course in the history of Yale University was offered in the fall of 2017 taught by Laurie Santos “Teaching students to lead a happier more satisfying life” called The Good Life. As you read the Beatitudes, think about what you believe you need to have a good life.
Matthew 5:3-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. 7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ESV
Sometimes translations will use the word “happy” instead of “blessed”. What is Biblical happiness? McDonalds makes our kids happy with meals designed especially for them called, “Happy Meals”. Not only a meal but also a toy. Happy kids help make happy parents. Is this Biblical happiness? No but some momentary relief from kid craziness is nice from time-to-time.
Social media is flooded mostly with posts of happiness. When you aren’t happy all the time its easy to feel inferior causing us to become masters at appearing happy when we’re not and this comes with a significant cost.
Laura Vanderkam wrote in The Wall Street Journal, "A Generation Living for Likes" speaking of how social media applies pressure to maintain a happiness façade for all of us but especially for the youth.
So how do we go about finding that happiness?
Parents want their children to be happy. We all want that for the people we love. We should want that for the people we know including family, friends, co-workers and anybody in our 5 foot circle? We want them to know Biblical happiness!
Modeling the love of Christ as you learn to experience God is the best way to share the love of Jesus to your world. It is not our job to change people. It is our job to love people. You have a five-foot circle and what they need more than anything else is to experience God’s love through you.
There is a difference between worldly happiness and Biblical happiness. People are searching for happiness because they are searching for their God-given design!
A car is designed to run on gasoline, and it won’t run properly on anything else. God designed humanity to run on the fuel of God’s presence. His presence is the fuel for our spirits to burn, the food our spirits feed on. There is nothing else that truly sustains us.
This is why asking God to make us happy our way doesn’t work. God cannot give happiness apart from himself. There is no such thing. Happiness cannot be separated from holiness and only Jesus can make us holy. So only Jesus can make us happy! We have been created by God – in his image – and we cannot live outside of him and feel content or fulfilled.
Read the Bible and meditate on it. Let it shape your inner most thoughts and desires. Don’t treat like a dictionary... only reading it when you need a quick answer...
Read it like a love story... read it like family history...
Invite people into your life, your love, your faith and your faith journey in whatever way possible. Admitting your struggle is a beautiful invitation. If you know someone who is inclined toward spiritual things you could easily share how you’ve found it to be a struggle to be consistent in reading the Bible at times. Out of that conversation you could introduce the Turn The Page conversation inviting them to consider it and hold each other accountable by talking routinely about what you’re reading.
Invite people into your life, your love, your faith and your faith journey.
Only 5% of Americans have received a personal invitation to church
80% of Americans would be open to attending church if invited by a friend
Pray for them before you invite them.
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. NLT
GP2RL: Begin praying specifically for people who are in your five-foot circle. Consider ways to invite them into your life, your love, your faith and your faith journey.