Thought For the Day

Someone once ask me if my adult children were 'happy'. 'Happy', as generally referred to in our culture, seems rather superficial. The term 'happy' has been trivialized in our culture to such an extent that I hesitate to use it as a measure.

In a more meaningful sense, to be 'happy', or to know 'joy', results from knowing and serving God. It results from trying to be the person God would have us be. The term 'happy', on the other hand, is too closely associated with the term 'pleasure' in our culture. Holy scripture distinguishes between 'joy' and 'pleasure'. The Greek word for 'pleasure' is the word from which we get the word 'hedonism', the philosophy of self-centered pleasure seeking.

'Joy' is the fruit of a right relationship with God. 'Joy' in the Christian's life is in direct proportion to his or her walk with the Lord. 'Joy' is the fruit of a spirit-led life (Galatians 5:22). The source of our 'joy' and strength is the Lord (Nehemiah 8:10). Our 'joy' results from walking our journey with God's presence, guidance, and direction. 'Joy' results from our struggling to live the life God would have us live, in his strength.

If 'happy' becomes a by-product, I guess that's not so bad.