The world is what we see it as. The sun blazes across the morning, and one man sees the opportunity to go fishing, and the other pictures a day spent doing yard work. An apple cake comes out of the oven, and one woman imagines a slice with a dollop of ice cream alongside, and her neighbor can’t get her thoughts off the hours on the treadmill to burn off the calories.
It’s seeing the happy side of things that makes all the difference. A new retiree sees the days ahead, now free to do anything she pleases, with no restrictions on her time. The reduction in income that goes along with it? It’s worth the trade. If she becomes bogged down in what she can no longer buy, then there’s no point, is there? She’ll be miserable, even if her time is her own.
As Christians, we have a duty to the Lord. However, it doesn’t have to be a drudge. We have to find the happy side of our faith walk.
Galatians 6:10 tells us:
“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Our travels with our Christian brothers and sisters is a love opportunity. Finding ways to do for others is a chance to be generous with our time and money.
Luke 6:38 gives us our rate of return:
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, [it] will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
That check we write will come back to us in love, satisfaction, and knowledge that the ministry of the Lord is being carried out by those we support. A soul in the pew is much better than cash in the bank.
Romans 13:8-10 gives us a better standard of living:
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,’ and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.”
It’s not the sunshine, cake, or income we have that makes our lives enjoyable. It’s how we see them, and more importantly, how we use them for the Lord. When we chose to put God and our fellow man first, we will think happy thoughts all day long.
Finding our fulfillment in God brings us happiness in every part of our day.
Copyright © 2015 MyChurchNotes.net
Code: FGO.D.16.vp.esv
Originally Published 6-24-15 in Hope