BE HAPPY TODAY!

“Seek your happiness in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desire.” (Psalm 37:4 Good News Translation)

Often, I find motivation from some of the inspirational wall hangings or other pieces of art in my house. While at times I pay them little attention, other times the words on these décor items seem to jump out at me as if they were hung in their spot specifically for me.  That’s what happened Friday evening as I sat on a stool by the kitchen sink, staring and stuck on thinking about things that can make you sad or sink you into a place where sorrow is trying to rise to a status of solidified supremacy. Facing the dining room wall, my eyes looked at a large wall hanging that had a message that was easy to read, even without my trifocal glasses.  Surrounded by four other wall hangings and a white, large clock, this one wall hanging seemed to be all alone, isolated in my vision as I looked at the wall.  It changed my disposition when I read it, and it made me decide to depart from sinking low to rising high with a purpose that I would carry over to today.

This is what was on the wall hanging, “I Think I’ll Be Happy Today!” At that very moment I decided to do my best to be happy, in a sense where happy was in alignment with the happiness of God’s people. As a matter of fact, I decided to purposely take my “happy” to a new level of happiness as found in the Beatitudes taught by Jesus, especially when you look at them from a progressive perspective versus a proverbial perspective. 

I know it is Sunday morning, and I won’t keep you long.  At least that’s what we preachers say. But before you head out to worship service or while you are sitting in your favorite pew waiting for the service to start, look at the scripture below, the Beatitudes taught by the Master at the beginning of His Sermon on the Mount. Then, whether you are tired, troubled, or thinking about things tire you out or throw you down, identify what level matches you in The Beatitudes and say, “I Think I’ll Be Happy Today.”  Make it happen, my friend!  Be blessed!

“Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor;
    the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!
Happy are those who mourn;
    God will comfort them!
Happy are those who are humble;
    they will receive what God has promised!
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires.
    God will satisfy them fully!
Happy are those who are merciful to others;
    God will be merciful to them!

Happy are the pure in heart;
    they will see God!
Happy are those who work for peace.
    God will call them his children!
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires;
    the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.” (Matthew 5:3-11 Good News Translation)

Committed to the climb,

Mark L. King