If I were to line up a bunch of biblical characters for an interview about life, what would they reply?
What made you feel most fulfilled about your life?
Jesus: I cried out in Gethsemane, because I didn't want to die like this. I was young and I possess great wisdom and healing powers. In the end, I did what I had to do- die to save the unworthy sinners.
Paul: I was a massive murderer unseen in modern times. When I became Paul, all I wanted was to preach Christ and give him imminence. I will rejoice when that is done, despite the fact that I often find myself being locked up in prisons. I also made popular the verse "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength".
Apostles: We have no idea why Jesus chose us, but still we accompanied Him in his journeys. We witnessed his teachings, healings and we continued the works after Jesus is gone. We set up the first churches and eventually, some of us died as martyrs for the faith.
Me: I was a well behaved child, studied, worked hard and earn my keeps. I attend church, pray and read the bible. I cross the road when there's a green man, never run afoul with the law. In fact, I am such a well-managed package that you might as well throw in marrying a Christian husband who is also my best friend, raising up successful children who have great character and academic ability and whoo hoo, I'll retire with a lovely house, chirping birds and a life of peace.
When did happiness ever evolved into this manner?
Christian and non-christian friends seem to have the same life purpose now- to be happy. Fair enough, who doesn't want to happy? Happiness is now a package tour of predictability, hassle-free, comfort and value for money. Dare I say I do not desire those things in life?
Back to all these 'troublesome' biblical characters. Perhaps it is no longer fashionable to define happiness as obedience, faith, courage and fellowship. Why obey when it makes us looks so cowed down? Why have faith when we are in control? Why do we need courage when it's really someone else's business? What's the big deal about fellowship when we really need not be accountable to anyone these days?
I feel rather ashamed as I thought about all these. I do not intend that everyone should be the next martyr or missionary, but what about my next decision? Would I veer towards the safe and predictable 'what's in it for me', or will I run to God and trust that He is in control and obey what He would like me to do? Can I be happy simply because I obeyed?
Tozer in "The Dwelling Place of God", mentions:
Now, my brethren, I don't know whether I can make it clear or not. I know that things like this have to be felt rather than understood, but the wounded man is never a seeker after happiness. There is an ignoble pursuit of irresponsible happiness among us. Over the last years, as I have observed the human scene and have watched God's professed people live and die, I have seen that most of us would rather be happy than to feel the wounds of other people's sorrows. I do not believe that it is the will of God that we should seek to be happy, but rather that we should seek to be holy and useful. The holy man will be the useful man and he's likely to be a happy man too; but if he seeks happiness and forgets holiness and usefulness, he's a carnal man. I, for one, want no part in carnal religious joy. There are times when it's sinful to be happy. When Jesus our Lord was sweating it out there in the garden or hanging on the tree, He could not be happy. He was the "man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief."
