I
am genuinely thankful for all of the difficult circumstances that are
teaching me to more readily run into the arms of grace. It is a lifelong
process and that means more, (probably even greater), difficulties lie
ahead. It is easy to say during these times; "life is not just about
being happy". In a superficial sense, that is true. But in a much more
real since, I am learning that the greatest source of happiness/joy
comes from enjoying God in Christ. Romans 5:9-11 makes it clear that as
great as justification is -- as great as it is to be rescued from God's
wrath -- even greater than these is the gift of eternally enjoying God
in Christ. Too often, my satisfaction with temporary, earthy happiness
gets in the way of enjoying God. All the while, thinking that I am
happy, I am actually experiencing a dramatically inferior happiness. I
cling so tightly to these that it is spiritually (and sometimes
physically) painful for them to be stripped away. Like C.S. Lewis says:
“Our passions are not too strong, they are too weak. We are far too
easily pleased." So, to conclude this "mini-sermon"; I thank God for
sovereignly allowing the pain, suffering and difficulties that continue
to strip away any delusions I have of finding true happiness in anything
but Him. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!
