Marty: Happiness Is...

One day this week, we were faced with the tedious task of raising one of the large bay doors at our warehouse manually. This was not a new problem. Even though the warehouse is on metered electric service, it is still subject to periodic outages. We thought we had solved this problem by installing a power inverter that would operate the doors during outages. Not that day, though. The lights were on, so we knew the inverter was operating. Not so with the doors.

Miguel, a member of our staff, looked at us and said, “There is no complete happiness.” Then he climbed the ladder and began pulling the chain to raise the door. My initial reaction to his statement was that it is a pessimistic worldview. As I reflected on it later in the day, the truth of the statement became clear. However, the statement is only partial truth. For I believe there is no complete happiness in this life. Since the fall of man (see Genesis 3), sin is an inevitable part of this life.

In John’s gospel, Jesus teaches us that “In this world you will have trouble.” (16:33) Sin has so infected the world in which we live that complete happiness is not possible. We strive to be happy; we hang around ‘happy’ people; we buy things to make us happy. But then the garage door doesn’t open. Your car breaks down. You lose your job. A loved one gets sick. 

“But take heart!” Jesus continues. “I have overcome the world.”

You see, we were created to be in perfect fellowship with God. But that fellowship was broken when one man betrayed his Creator, allowing sin to enter the world. Thankfully, God gets the last word here. He promises that the day will come when that perfect fellowship is returned.

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation21:1-4)

I believe on that day, those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ will have complete happiness (Romans 10:9-13).

Until then, walk with Christ, taking comfort in the joy and peace that He freely pours out on us. And make sure your ladder is close by, just in case you have to roll that garage door up by hand!

Thank you all for your continued prayers, encouragement, and financial support! We are getting settled into our home and have been quite busy with the ministry. We’ve had several visitors from the US recently, and have enjoyed sharing the ministry with them.

Interested in serving on a short-term mission team with The Least of These Ministries? Possible trips are being planned for October 2014, January 2015, and June 2015.
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