Celebrating
the freeing, supportive presence of God. So your experience of God may
become your experience of life. It is wonderful what God can do!
“Inner Peace, Outer Happiness”
PART I
September 24, 2006
Many people throughout the world do not have the luxury of building happiness into their lives. They are often too busy trying to find food and shelter for their families, education for their children, fighting illness and disease without medicines, and all this while trying to stay alive while others are trying to kill them and their families.
Although we are besieged by both foreign and urban “wars,” in addition to the regular problems of a prosperous, racially and economically diverse country, we still find the time for recreation, relaxation, and pontificating. We find the time to search (look) for peace and happiness.
Which comes first, peace or happiness? This question is much like that of the chicken and the egg—from which it is nearly impossible draw conclusions because of the circularity of the arguments.
One can be basically happy and exhibit it outwardly without having a complete sense of inner peace. And inner peace has been known to exist free from outer happiness—just ask anyone who counsels people. Which ought we to go after first? Both!
Happiness will be fed by a stream of inner peace; and inner peace will be nourished by a flow of happiness.
Happiness, by the way, is so much more than fun; but fun is longer lasting when accompanied a true sense of happiness.
We believe that the love of God demonstrated for us through his Son and his gift of eternal life to all is a prime resource for inner peace. Knowing that God has placed us here on earth to share his love and beauty, and prepare us for spiritual and eternal living, we are offered a powerful perspective for living life here and now with this purpose motivating us along the way.
As Christians we believe that happiness for us begins with others … because God made it that way. The happy hermit is a rarity indeed. It is the life stories of others—their families, their jobs, their homes, their schools, their needs, their desires, their troubles and failures — that should stimulate us to action. It is in and through the words and actions we take with others that provide the basis for the beginning of true happiness.
This, then, is the validation for the old axiom, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Receiving is fun and at times very helpful, but giving of ourselves is truly a blessed or holy act—one which has spiritual and eternal benefits; one which prepares the way for a true sense of happiness.
James, the brother of Jesus, gives a one-word definition of this biblical concept. He simply calls it, Wisdom! James asks the question of the day and then answers it, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom.” This wisdom is the beginning of inner peace and happiness.
Be cautious here: Wisdom is often understood to mean making good decisions — making wise choices; for example in such things as investments, vocations, friends, and lifestyle — all of which are beneficial to ourselves.
The biblical writer places a slightly different twist on the meaning of wisdom and associates it with lifestyle. Wisdom, he says, involves gentleness, mercy, willingness to yield, peacefulness, and the absence of malice and envy. All of these are beneficial to others.
Finding happiness in providing companionship and assistance to those in need of it, is one of the principles to which Jesus referred as “the kingdom of heaven” which is very much the state of happiness. Jesus is dynamically interested in our quality of life. He said that he comes to us in order that we might have a richer and fuller life even before eternal life.
In direct reference to happiness, Jesus teaches that the meek, the merciful, and peacemakers will find happiness. This implies that those who “lord it” over us will actually struggle to find true happiness. Those who are unkind or cruel will ultimately fail in the pursuit of happiness. And those who intentionally cause trouble (which is the opposite of peacemakers), will be constantly disappointed with their life.
In reference to inner peace, Jesus said that those who hunger and thirst for God, will be filled [with inner peace]. Those who search elsewhere will more than likely be disappointed.
Now James, on the other hand, appears to be trying to get us to recognize that this basic Christian compassion and conduct towards others is nothing less than “good ol’ fashion” wisdom. In other words, James is telling us to use wisdom as a lifestyle in our choices towards others—be wise by being gentle and merciful toward those who are not always deserving of such.
James also teaches that we must discover a “willingness to yield.” This may actually be one of the two hardest of all Christian actions — the other being “forgiveness.” We notice from the time of our childhood that yielding is not in our natural inclinations. We want our own way … especially because we believe that it is the right way. We want our own way so badly that we usually do not even care to hear or to understand from where the other person is coming.
We learn from this … that we may not have found true happiness not so much because we were not looking for it, but because we may have actions or attitudes that prevent us from experiencing it.
Now, along with a “willingness to yield,” James also advises us that there should not be even a “trace of partiality or hypocrisy” in our approach and dealings with others. Rather, we should be feasting on a rich diet “full of mercy and good fruits [toward others].” From this we will discover true happiness in our living.
Last, but certainly not least, we are offered some guidance by David, the psalmist, concerning happiness in life. He says that in order to be happy one must avoid the advice of those with less than pure intentions. David tells us that in order to experience happiness, one must avoid those who have no allegiance to God or common decency. The psalmist also advises that we must avoid becoming arrogant, haughty, or prideful. (Prov 21:24) According to the psalmist, the Lord classifies these types of persons as “wicked” and therefore those who will ultimately be unhappy. These folks will not be receivers of inner peace or of true happiness.
Many books and articles have been written on the subject of inner peace and outer happiness. Most of those offer some valuable suggestions that aid us in improving our attitude and approach toward life.
I believe, however, that God is calling us to more than an upgrade in our attitude. I believe we are being called to the full richness of the inner peace that is promised to those who seek and long for the goodness and love of God. It is promised, according to the psalmist, to those who delight in, and meditate on, the ways and the words of the Lord.
I challenge you to schedule a regular time for “delighting” on the things of the Lord, and meditating on the beauty and wonder of the living God. I challenge you to seek your peace and happiness in the lifestyle of wisdom which is living in the service of others. Find the true meaning of life by living life as God designed it—with others in mind.
And may the God of all creation and abundance be with you as you live God’s life of peace and harmony. Amen.
