Happy... I forgot what that feels like!

If you have lived for any length of time, you have more than likely made a significant discovery. Life is not always fair and things at times don't work out as we think they will. In the process of life there is inevitable pain. It’s enough to make us depressed and bitter isn’t it?

In these times, we so wish for relief! Oh, to be beyond the current challenge! I once had a lady say to me, "Pastor, its been so long since I have been happy, I have forgotten what it feels like."

Use your imagination and go back with me into history, to the city of Rome. There in a drab musty prison cell sits an old man whose body bears the marks of a painful life. During the span of his life he was extremely successful, well educated, influential. He was well traveled. He preached and planted churches. Oh, but now shackles are on his hands and feet. He is chained so that it is difficult to walk or move. He is regarded now by most with disdain, as nothing more than a worthless criminal. His shoulders are stooped; his head almost bald. If you linger at all in your gaze, you’ll see the physical scars that mar his aging body.

His name is Paul, a devout and faithful servant of God. As you gaze at him you notice that he is writing a letter. No doubt it is a complaint letter. No doubt he will present a long list of grievances. None of us would dispute the fact that he surely has every reason to be bitter and complain. I mean who could ever have imagined this to be the outcome of answering a call from God? But that's not the sort of letter that he is writing! He is writing to the Philippian believers, a letter that over two thousand years later is still known as a great treatise of joy. Joy.. now imagine that coming from an old man in a Roman jail. Isn’t it amazing that he is still able to keep perspective? The difficulties and challenges, though hard, were never able to rob him of his joy for life.

I woke up early today. I am afraid my internal clock is still set on England time. I have spent some time praying, talking to the Lord out of my own life and remembering others that need prayer. Two people that I know are near death. Others are seriously ill. Some are battling unfair and challenging situations of various kinds. Any and all of these things have the capacity to rob us of any contentment and peace we might wish for. Then I turn my gaze to my own life, to a day filled with its fair share of challenges. There are moments when we all feel like we should be entitled to fill out a complaint form and submit it to the heavenly Father. Then we realize that there may also be things that we have no warning of, in reality not one of us know what a day holds. We have no idea the challenges we will be required to endure. Happiness can surely be a fleeting thing.

But go back to the mental image of the aged apostle Paul. It must have been uncomfortable sitting in chains and shackles. The dreariness and stench of that place is beyond imagination. Look over his shoulder, peek at what he is writing to those Philippian brothers. Amazing words...“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

Remarkable! It wasn't enough just to tell them to rejoice in life's circumstances, he makes it even more emphatic by repeating his exhortation to them. Rejoice... I say rejoice! When our happiness evaporates, God makes available to us an internal sense of joy, which is not affected by the external circumstances of life. Eating chocolate, going to the mall, or indulging in our favorite "it makes me happy" activity can bring at least a temporary relief from our anxieties. But, God gives joy. I love the old song, "This joy that I have...the world didn't give it to me, and the world can't take it away." That's what Paul is writing about, and that's how he could pen those words out of the misery of incarceration.

May you be blessed today in the living of life with God ordained joy! I would desire for you that your day be one of peace and contented purpose, but we know that it may well be littered with the challenges of this life. Take the advice given to us by this saintly old apostle... no matter what... Rejoice! and again.. I say, rejoice! Right now, ask the Father who gives to us freely from His abundance, for a joy that is unspeakable, and full of glory!

Now, doesn't that feel better?