Do what makes you holy
Do what makes you happy holy.
“Happiness” is the idol of our day. Every media outlet, advertisement, even some of our churches - preach the message of happiness.
If this coffee will make you happy, drink it.
If this house will make you happy, buy it.
If your career doesn’t make you happy, change it.
It’s become normal to hear someone say, “I just want my child to be happy….”
We have placed happiness as the top prize to be won.
The problem with this way of thinking? On a subconscious level, it places each of us at the center of our universe, where all things (including God) exist to serve us.
When you think about the ways which you navigate the world, the daily rhythms and routines you’ve put in place, what desire is at the center?
Is it a desire to be comfortable, safe, secure, or happy? Is it a desire to draw closer to God, feed the hungry and save the lost?
Are your desires aligned with God’s?
Simply saying that we believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord is not enough. In 1 John 2:3-6 we read:
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
A genuine statement of faith is always followed by a profound new way of living, where we put to death our old ways of “doing what makes us happy” and begin pursuing “what makes us holy.”
Of course, none of us will master Jesus’ way of life completely; however, that should not keep us from trying. Continuing in 1 John, we read, “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness… whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God” (3:3-4; 10).
These are sobering words for me to read. I hope they are for you, too.
As Christians, we ought to distinguish ourselves as those who practice righteousness and purity.
This may sound daunting, so let me offer a simple mindset shift. Instead of asking ourselves what will make us happy, what if we started to ask:
Will this (thing, activity, event) draw me closer to God?
How will owning (fill in the blank) be used for God’s kingdom? How will it impact my testimony for Christ?
What activities do I need to say no to in order to make time with God a higher priority?
Is there a continuous practice of sin in my life? What are the reasons I haven’t given this area over to God?
Am I living my life focused on serving myself (and my family) or focused on serving God and his people?
Am I practicing the spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, studying the Bible, confession, and worship?
Am I focused on meeting the physical needs of those around me (providing food, clothing, etc.) or am I focused on bettering my own lifestyle?
How would your decision making change if you led with these questions? How might your life look differently if you began to pursue holiness?
It starts with one step. Choose one thing you can you do today to begin deepening your walk with Christ, and start.