Happiness or Joy?

Over the past few weeks I've been given a much more somber view on our calling to the mission field. It's easy to look at it romantically and think of it as a great adventure. However, the reality is that the adventure may not always be comfortable.

I told some friends recently that I've been thinking about death and suffering lately. That's a sure way to kill a conversation! I haven't been dwelling on negative things, just gaining a proper perspective.

One of the biggest concerns I have right now is that many people think God really just wants to make all of His children happy. If you can find anywhere in the Bible where it says that, please show me!

I know God wants to make our joy complete (John 15:11) and that God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) but those are completely different ideas than being happy. Happiness is a momentary, short-sighted emotion. Joy is a deep, lasting state of being that includes peace, contentment, purpose, love and worship.

If God's goal for us is happiness, then He would never demand anything difficult or uncomfortable of us. He would make us as comfortable as possible. But if God wanted us to be so comfortable, why in the world did He need to send us a Comforter?

If He just wants us to always be happy, why would He ask us to lay down our lives and carry a cross?

The more I learn about Jesus and being one of His disciples, the more convinced I am that happiness isn't part of the equation ... but joy is! When Jesus sent out His disciples He warned them that they WOULD be persecuted, flogged and hated. Jesus changed Paul from a zealous religious leader into the greatest missionary the world has ever known. Along the way, Paul was mistreated, shipwrecked, hungry, stoned and imprisoned many times.

So, why do we think living for Jesus is supposed to be easy, comfortable and happy? Where in the Bible can anyone find anything to support those thoughts?

Joy takes a long view of things. Happiness is immediate.

Have you ever made your kids do something they didn't like because you knew it was best for them? Have you ever had to take something away from your kids because you knew it wasn't good for them?

Some lessons can only be learned through pain and discomfort.

When Jesus asked us to go we had to make a choice between happiness and joy. We could have said no and settled for a temporary, surfacey happiness that would not last. Instead, we said yes to the deep, lasting joy that comes from letting go of the things of this world, the plans we've made, the comforts of home. Sure, there will be pain along the way. It is going to be very uncomfortable at times and we may shed some tears. We may even face some dangerous situations that put our lives at risk. Safety is never guaranteed in the Bible either! But in order to get to complete joy we must obey all He has commanded us and remain in the love of our Heavenly Father. (John 15:9-10)

Being a Christian is easy and comfortable because it's all about what you believe and not what you do. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is hard because you have to do what Jesus did!

Please understand that following Jesus is the absolute most important thing in our lives. That's the legacy we want to leave to our kids. And that's the reason WE HAVE TO GO!