Life is too short to worry about being happy

Job 7:7 - Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again.

This little-known verse from the book of Job reminds us of something very important. Happiness is a temporary pursuit that soon leaves us. Job recognizes that his life is short. He laments that when life is over he will never again see happiness. Sounds kind of pessimistic, doesn't it?  That is what the pursuit of happiness does to us. Happiness is that temporary state of satisfaction when we have reached a goal or  acquired a new toy. But it doesn't last. Why? Because like everything else in this life, happiness is fleeting. Here today, gone tomorrow.

I am currently writing a research paper on suicide. In my search for relevant information I found this article from Time Magazine dated April 25, 2011. "Why the Happiest States have the Highest Suicide Rates." Yes, you read that correctly. Those states (and countries) that testify to being the happiest on surveys consistently have the highest suicide rates. These are states like Hawaii where most of us dream of living a carefree life on the beach. They are countries like Norway and Denmark with free health care, low crime, and high incomes. Yet these places have some of the highest suicide rates in the western world.

Why? Because happiness is an emotion that can change like the wind. It simply doesn't last. What makes us happy today will make us miserable tomorrow. Life is like that. The Christian knows that there is only one source of true contentment in the world. That is found in a lasting relationship with Jesus Christ. We say it so often it has become a cliché - There is joy in Jesus! But do we really believe it? Are we so caught up in the pursuit of materialism that we are in the same roller coaster as the rest of the world. On a high today because of some new toy and in the pits of despair tomorrow.

Peace of mind doesn't come from having money in the bank. (Money in the bank is good.) Satisfaction doesn't come from achieving our  educational goals. Those countries and states with high suicide rates have high levels of education. It doesn't come from free health care. The Nordic countries have excellent health care. The bottom line is that peace of mind comes with being content. Contentment is an attitude of thanksgiving for what God has given us.

Am I saying we shouldn't have nice things? No. Am I saying we shouldn't dream big dreams? Again no. As the song says, "If you're going to dream, dream big." I am simply reminding us that possessions don't bring contentment. Happiness doesn't bring peace. Only a relationship with God can satisfy the soul. One thing worth considering. Those states where people confessed to being unhappy  were found to have the lowest suicide rates in the country. My theory is that people in these places had something to dream about. But when life gives you everything you want, what else is there to live for.

 Amazing, isn't it?  Are you spend your life in the pursuit of one more material "blessing." Maybe it's time to slow down and rethink life a little. After all, life is too short to be wasted on trying to be happy.
Yours in Christ's Service,

Rev. Sullivan Jones

A good name

Proverbs 22:1 - A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Many people aspire to greatness in our world. Usually this means one thing - money. When we think about someone being successful we automatically want to know how much money he is making. We all talk about how money isn't the most important thing but our actions show differently. When we hear about some movie star paying 10 million dollars for a house we marvel. A while ago I heard talk that a movie star gave a well known televangelist a million dollars. The talk went something like this - "do you know what I could do with a million dollars?" Then the dreaming starts. The truth is most people will never see anything near that kind of money in a lifetime.

What is it about money that has that kind of sway over us? After all, money isn't inherently evil. We need money to get along in life. Even the Bible says that money answers all things (Ecclesiastes 10:19). It makes life a lot less stressful when we have money. I know there are a lot of people in poverty around the world but I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I don't ascribe to the belief that asceticism makes us more spiritual. I can do a whole lot more for the kingdom of God with money than without it.

Yet there is something  so much more valuable in this world than money. That is a good name. What is a good name. It is simple - when people hear a name they respect it. Why? Because they know the person who has that name keeps his word. If he says something he does his best to follow through. If he can't, he apologizes and tries his best to make it right. As the old saying goes, "a man's word is his bond." When a man has that kind of reputation it is so much better than money. There are people in the community that have money and everyone knows they got it dishonestly. People might envy their money but no one would want to trade places with them. Why? Because they are talked about behind their backs. People tell jokes about them and snicker when they are out of sight.

Every now and then we find a person who is as poor as Job's turkey yet commands great respect. How? Usually it is because this person is a person of prayer and wisdom. A person who treats everyone the same regardless of  one's station in life. And believe it or not, this person is at times able to change things in the community more than the person with money. People will listen to someone they can trust. Someone who doesn't repeat gossip and break confidences. Someone who always has a smile ready and is truly interested in each soul. And one more thing - if someone were to lie on that person, no one would believe it because they know it is out of character. That person's good name speaks for itself.

All of us have made mistakes. We have repeated things we shouldn't have and have made judgment calls we shouldn't have made. But if we are striving to be that person of integrity it will show out every time. Most people know that everyone makes mistakes and are willing to give a second chance. None of us is perfect but we should all strive to be honest and have a good name. Not necessarily to make a name for ourselves but so that Christ will be glorified in us. God help us to be people of integrity that follow through to the best of our ability with what we say we will do.

God Bless,

Rev. Sullivan Jones

Mistaken Identity - God knows my name!

Have you even been mistaken for someone else? My wife and her three sisters resemble one another and their mother so some people get them mixed up. I knew her long before we were anything more than fellow church members and I never thought they looked that much alike; apparently they do to some. As for me, I can't think of but one time that I was mistaken for  someone else.

A guy had just moved to our church from somewhere in west Texas.We met on his first Sunday at the church out in the foyer.  He walked up, lit up in a smile and asked, "when did you get here?" I must have looked confused because I didn't remember ever meeting him. After a minute he turned red and said, "I think I've mistaken you for someone else. Is your name _________?" After learning I was not a friend he had made at camp he explained that "the resemblance was remarkable." That was a first for me though they say everyone has a twin.

One thing I am glad about is that our heavenly father does not get us confused. Have you ever wondered how he keeps us all straight? With all the billions of people on the planet he knows each of us by name. Not only that, he knows the number of the hairs on our heads daily. Amazing! He also knows which of us are his children and which aren't. The scriptures tell us that he has a book, called the book of life, and that the names of the redeemed are written in that book. One day we will all stand before him to be judged. He will open the book (whether literally or figuratively it doesn't matter) and search for our names. If my name, Sullivan Jones, is not written there I will not enter into that heavenly paradise he has prepared for his redeemed. I will be separated from him forever and sent into everlasting sorrow.

Since I know my name is there I have no need to fear. I am His and He is mine. The scripture says that no one or nothing can talk me out of the palm of His hand (John 10:28.) Just to make it clear I don't believe in eternal security no matter how much I sin, but I do believe that my God is big enough to keep me. Isn't it a comforting thought! The God who holds the heavens and the earth spellbound by His words knows my name and will never mistake me for another. When I need him, He will be near. And most of all, on that day when he gathers his sheep unto himself, I will not have to fear being forgotten for God knows my name!

Trusting Securely in Him,

Sullivan Jones