Happiness is a choice. However, it is hard to be truly happy unless you are content in Christ. Contentment comes when we realize that God's commandments are guidelines for our happiness. God isn't a policeman waiting to chastise us.
What spouse would demand a kiss from their mate? Any advances by force are offensive and so wrong. God's desire for our love is no different. The church is His bride. Each believer has a personal relationship with Christ Jesus.
Remember when you were first saved? Most believers desire to please God with their very lives. As time goes on the routine becomes ho hum, maybe even stagnate. Bible study becomes a requirement instead of a time of meditation and really taking the message to heart. Soon Bible study stops and then certain sins become appealing again.
People haven't changed since the Old Testament. Moses warned the Israelites-
"All these curses will come upon you. They will pursue you and over take you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees He gave you. They will be a sign and wonder to you and your descendants forever. Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you." Deuteronomy 28:45-48 (NIV)
Ouch, have you ever felt the sting of sin? I have.
As we remember our Maker, Deliver and Savior we focus on the goodness in life. Just going for a walk in the woods we see God's glory in creation! "In Your presences is the fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever." Psalm 16:11 (NIV)
Jesus wants a happy relationship with each believer full of love, pleasure and peace from your heart to His. He will bless you even in times of sorrow if you can praise and worship Him with all your being. When you are truly content you will be able to say like Paul-
"I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or death. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me....I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body." Philippians 1:20-24 (NIV)
Just as you and I desire healthy happy relationships with the people we love. Let us put our God in First place and give Him the Love and Glory He richly deserves. In turn, He will take you from making mud pies when it rains to awesome sand castles by the sea. Make the most of your journey so that you will enjoy the fullest in heaven.
