Faith-inspired happiness
This holiday season, I’m thinking a lot about those who are far away from home, those who cannot go home, those who no longer have a home to go to, and those who may still live at home but no longer feel safe or happy in their own home. That means, I’m thinking a lot about so many of you–my students, colleagues and friends in Myanmar, Thailand, and the Congo, and also about so many others I know who are carrying such heavy burdens right now. I know this past year has been tough in many ways for so many, and the year ahead may be full of even more uncertainty.
At the same time, as we move into a new year, I see something else at work in your lives. Something hopeful.
The Psalmist wrote: “The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of all who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.” (Psalm 145:18-20, NRSV)
Repeatedly we read such hopeful messages in the Bible. Though evil doers cause so much pain and destruction, God is still able to fulfill our heart’s desire and accomplish his good purposes in our lives. Even in our darkest night, nothing can extinguish the light of Jesus Christ or snuff out God’s forgiveness and salvation. Amid our suffering and long wait for God to bring justice to this broken world, the Holy Spirit comforts us by reminding us that God is watching over us.
We may not always perceive God’s care, and too many of the world’s population see no hint of God’s justice throughout their lifetimes. But the consistent witness of the Bible is that the world is not spinning out of God’s control, despite appearances to the contrary. No one knows when God may undermine evil doers, overthrow cruel tyrants, and subvert systems of oppression, but God will ultimately right the wrongs and save those who love him and put their trust in him. Our job is to continually pray for God’s will to be done and for God to deliver us from the evil one (Matt. 6:9-13) and to focus on the good that is within our power to do—loving God and loving our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:37-40).
When I stop to think about all this, I feel happier. I’m happy to be loved by my Creator, to know him, and to believe that my life has meaning and purpose because of God’s ongoing work in my life. I’m happy to not have to face the troubles of this world alone. I have support. I have help. I’m also happy that I am surrounded by other people who, like me, know and love God and want to serve him by helping others and contributing to the world. We have so much in common that even our shared tears, along with all we are working for and experiencing together, fill the empty, longing places in my heart.
And all this makes me happy, very happy, most of the time. Of course, I struggle with sadness, anger, frustration, despair, and fear like everyone else. Sometimes, all I can do is cry out to God or try to distract myself from my pain. But having such a personal relationship God and surrounding myself with other like-minded and like-hearted followers of Jesus has made all the difference. It’s this kind of faith-inspired happiness I treasure the most. And that’s what I am wishing, hoping, and praying for you, too, as we go into another year.
So, Happy New Year. Take heart. “The LORD is near to all who call on him, who call on him in truth.”
With the love of Jesus,
Dr. Tim
President, Faith, Hope, and Love Global Ministries (www.fhlglobal.org)
The Spirit-Led Leader 