happiness vs holiness

Sometimes we need to take a moment to revisit our faith. Dig deep, my friend, and be encouraged!

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The older I get, the more angry I am with sin. I do not claim to be sinless, except that by my trust in Jesus and His sacrifice, He has justified me before God. Otherwise, I still struggle and fail more often than I'd like to admit. But pursuing Christ is a daily, hourly, minute-by-minute pursuit that I am understanding more clearly every day. I am still far from where I want to be.

Nevertheless, taking steps towards Him instead of away from Him is a proven method for growth. No matter the circumstances, or our emotions, or those around us, or the trials against us, or the failures we have along the way.

To get up again, to move forward again, and to pick up our vices and crosses again while following Jesus – that is what it means to be Christian. That is what brings life and peace.

But those things do not come easily, they come with large price tags. We are free in Him, and the message of Christ is freeing to our souls, yes. But the pursuit of God is a sacrifice that many aren't willing to make.

We cling tightly to our wallets, our relationships, our comfort zones, and our prideful selves. The costs seems too great. Too great, that is, until we see how much Greater our God is!

Our calling is not the pursuit of happiness. It is the pursuit of holiness. Jesus never said a life of following Him would be easy or be "fun". But living a life of holiness – being set apart as we trust Christ with our everyday life and decisions-- it brings something far better than happiness. In fact, it brings a whole line-up of promises better than what our culture's pursuits have to offer.

It brings power... the ability to make decisions and change lives through Jesus and the wisdom of the Holy Spirit.

It brings hope... something to look towards and trust in, eternal security.

It brings peace... not just quietness, but an inner stabilizing comfort even when all around us is in utter chaos and turmoil.

God does not bargain and make deals with His creation, nor is He concerned if you are happy all the time, or even perhaps healthy all the time. Job, Paul, and Jesus could all vouch for that.

He is much more concerned about the state of your soul, and the bigger picture He has for you life-- which is, keep in mind, good and prosperous things... IF (big IF here!) we persevere and don't give up before we get to that end! He is most concerned with refining you and molding you into a man or woman of God... He is most concerned with your becoming holy. Your original purpose, His design for your life.

So what shall we do with this calling from Christ?

Water-down our words, fluff our faith, puff up ourselves, be politically correct, fear rejection, be half-hearted in our efforts, put on a show, hide or ignore the truth, get defensive and avoid confrontation, and pretend we're doing ok?

Or perhaps we are called to be men and woman of truth.

Men and woman who pursue God whole-heartedly and passionately.

• Be generous when our wallets are light
• Speak up for truth when all are silent
• Raise up our children intentionally, purposefully, and lovingly
  
• Go against the crowd of our culture's lies and apathy
• Trust in God instead of our government or the economy
• Be the church instead of sitting in a church building
• Lend a hand when it's inconvenient or difficult
• Bear someone's burden when our own burdens are heavy
• Walk an extra mile when our feet are sore
• Hold our tongues when we are angry, tired, and frustrated
• Change ourselves more than we try to change others
• Love deeply when no one cares
• Work hard when no one is watching
• Fight for someone who is too weak to fight for themselves
• Be genuine and real in a world of counterfeits
• Fight for your marriage when divorce is common
• Keep our word when it's easy to take it back
• Don't blend in when Christ needs us to stand out
• Fear only God, not what others might say or do
• Don't use forgiveness as an excuse to do wrong
• Don't hide behind your faith, embrace it!
• Be a person of gratitude and grace
  
• Don't turn a blind eye to sin, expose it!
• Trust what's truth more than how we feel
• Be more concerned about others than ourselves
• Sacrifice what we deserve for the benefit of the undeserving
• Be a person of honor and character in the small things
• Be intolerant of sin, when our world cries for tolerance
• Be a person of purity and integrity in a world of perversion and compromise
• Don't take the easy way out
• Be a glimpse of heaven in a preview of hell
• Stand for what is right even when it is unpopular
• Do not be afraid of rejection when standing up for Truth

If you look like the world, act like the world, live like the world, talk like the world... are you really of Christ? What are we really pursuing in this life? Happiness or holiness? What will matter in the end?

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21

We are not called to be “nice guys” or alienate ourselves from reality. We are called to be Christians-- followers passionately pursuing Christ. Revisit those expectations. Know the One you are following. Know His Words and His commands. Know His love for you and His desire for all to come and know Him. The burden may seem heavy, but it is a joy to bear it for the sake of His Name! And He will be with you, wherever you go; He will bless you, in all that you do; He will fight for you and with you, every step of the way.

"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Mark 8:38

Be holy. Be different.

Happiness is overrated.