Don't Worry, Be Happy Now

I often wonder why it is that Christians don’t seem very happy. Now I realize I am generalizing, but with the number of Christians I’m around on a regular basis, this observation is generally true. Our God loves us enough to chase after us, dropping hints at every corner that we might respond and realize just how much He cares. Our God intercedes on our behalf, protecting us from unseen enemies, averting chaos we never realized was reaching our front door, and encouraging our own selves to make decisions that are holy, loving, and honoring to God and neighbor. Our God realized just how difficult it is for humans to set aside our selfishness, our self-centeredness, and our downright meanness, and yet still wanting to be in a personal relationship with us, came to earth himself as Jesus, to live as an example of all we could be if only we would grab his hand and allow him to show the way. Not to mention, God chose to die for us that we might live a life of abundance here on earth, as well as the life we are afforded into eternity through his Son Jesus. We should be jumping for joy!! I certainly realize that life can be tough. Some of us have loved ones that are struggling with disease. Others are having a very difficult time keeping their heads above water due to the past several years’ economy. I get it. But why do we allow those temporal things to take away our spiritual reality? We have a God who adores us! Plain and simple. We don’t go it alone. We never have and we never will. Our Father in heaven is so very involved in our daily lives here on earth, it is unfathomable to even comprehend. But it’s the truth. We are loved so very deeply… especially when we’re struggling, especially when we’re hurting, and especially when we find ourselves seemingly out of hope. So here’s my point: if we, who are children of a loving-living God, are rarely happy, is it any wonder others aren’t really interested in following Christ with us? Seriously. If I see a friend who goes to an event and time after time comes home just as down, weary, and cynical as before she attended, I would be in no hurry whatsoever to join her. In fact, I would do my best to avoid her so I wouldn’t have to depress her even more when I declined joining her misery. I hear so often from the un-, de-, or yet-to-be-churched that we Christians don’t seem to enjoy our lives, so why should they be compelled to join us? Great question. Maybe some better questions for the rest of us who do follow Christ are these: why are we so darn depressed? Why are we so serious? And why is it we come across to the world as a sad people just waiting to die so we can finally have a good life in heaven? Maybe we aren’t tracking our blessings the way we could. Do you list at least 10 blessings each day before laying your bed to the pillow? Not a bad habit to start. Maybe we get so caught up in the little mundane stuff that we actually miss the big stuff. I am always amazed when someone gets offended because I wear jeans to worship or use the word “crap” but those same people don’t seem to be bothered that there are so many hungry seniors in our own community or young couples struggling to keep their utilities on. Maybe another good habit to get into would be adding a list of things we believe are heavy on God’s heart each day and doing our best to put more of our thoughts, conversations, and efforts into those, instead of what seems to bother us so easily. Or maybe it’s just me. It won’t be the first time I’ve been called silly, an optimist, or a dreamer. Doubtful it will be the last.