Real Happiness

As a child of God I am called to be a representative of Jesus, showing forth the goodness and mercy of the Lord. As Jesus has revealed to me the true character of the Father, so I am to reveal Jesus to a world that does not know His tender, pitying love. "As you sent me into the world," said Jesus, "I have sent them into the world." "I in them and You in Me. ... to let the world know that you sent Me." The apostle Paul says to the disciples of Jesus, "You show that you are a letter from Christ," "Known and read by everybody." In me, Jesus sends a letter to the world. If I am Jesus' follower, He sends in me a letter to the family, the village, the street, where I live. Jesus, dwelling in me, desires to speak to the hearts of those who are not acquainted with Him. Perhaps they do not read the Bible, or do not hear the voice that speaks to them in its pages; they do not see the love of God through His works. But if I am a true representative of Jesus, it may be that through me they will be led to understand something of His goodness and be won to love and serve Him.

I am set as a light bearer on the way to heaven. I am to reflect to the world the light shining upon them from Christ. My life and character should be such that through me others will get a right conception of Christ and of His service.

If I do represent Christ, I shall make His service appear as attractive as it really is. If I gather up gloom and sadness to my soul, and murmur and complain, I am giving to others a false representation of God and the Christian life. I give the impression that God is not pleased to have me happy, and in this I bear false witness against my heavenly Father.

Satan is exultant when he can lead me into unbelief and despondency. He delights to see me mistrusting God, doubting His willingness and power to save me. He loves to have me feel that the Lord will do me harm by His providences. It is the work of Satan to represent the Lord as lacking in compassion and pity. He misstates the truth in regard to Him. He fills my imagination with false ideas concerning God; and instead of dwelling upon the truth in regard to our heavenly Father, I too often fix my mind upon the misrepresentations of Satan and dishonor God by distrusting Him and murmuring against Him. Satan ever seeks to make the religious life one of gloom. He desires it to appear toilsome and difficult; and when I present in my own life this view of religion, I am, through my unbelief, seconding the falsehood of Satan.

When I, while walking along the path of life, dwell upon my mistakes and failures and disappointments, my heart is filled with grief and discouragement. Once I dreamed that I was in a garden, and one who seemed to be the owner of the garden was conducting me through its paths. I was gathering the flowers and enjoying their fragrance, when a friend, who had been walking by my side, called my attention to some unsightly briers that were impeding the way. There she was mourning and grieving. She was not walking in the pathway, following the guide, but was walking among the briers and thorns. "Oh," she mourned, "is it not a pity that this beautiful garden is spoiled with thorns?" Then the guide said, "Let the thorns alone, for they will only wound you. Gather the roses, the lilies, and the pinks."

Have there not been some bright spots in my experience? Have I not had some precious seasons when my heart throbbed with joy in response to the Spirit of God? When I look back into the chapters of my life experience do I not find some pleasant pages? Are not God's promises, like the fragrant flowers, growing beside my path on every hand? Will I not let their beauty and sweetness fill my heart with joy?

The briers and thorns will only wound and grieve me; and if I gather only these things, and present them to others, am I not, besides slighting the goodness of God myself, preventing those around me from walking in the path of life?

It is not wise to gather together all the unpleasant recollections of a past life, -- its iniquities and disappointments, -- to talk over them and mourn over them until I are overwhelmed with discouragement. My discouraged soul is filled with darkness, shutting out the light of God and casting a shadow upon the pathway of others.

Thank God for the bright pictures which He has presented. Let me group together the blessed assurances of His love, that wI may look upon them continually: The Son of God leaving His Father's throne, clothing His divinity with humanity, that He might rescue man from the power of Satan; His triumph in our behalf, opening heaven to men, revealing to human vision the presence chamber where the Deity unveils His glory; the fallen race uplifted from the pit of ruin into which sin had plunged it, and brought again into connection with the infinite God, and having endured the divine test through faith in our Redeemer, clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and exalted to His throne--these are the pictures which God would have me contemplate.

When I seem to doubt God's love and distrust His promises I dishonor Him and grieve His Holy Spirit. How would a mother feel if her children were constantly complaining of her, just as though she did not mean them well, when her whole life's effort had been to forward their interests and to give them comfort? Suppose they should doubt her love; it would break her heart. How would any parent feel to be thus treated by his children? And how can my heavenly Father regard me when I distrust His love, which has led Him to give His only-begotten Son that I might have life? The apostle writes, "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?" And yet how many, by their actions, if not in word, are saying, "The Lord does not mean this for me. Perhaps He loves others, but He does not love me."

All this is harming my own soul; for every word of doubt I utter is inviting Satan's temptations; it is strengthening in me the tendency to doubt, and it is grieving from me the ministering angels. When Satan tempts me, I dare not breathe a word of doubt or darkness. If I choose to open the door to his suggestions, my mind will be filled with distrust and rebellious questioning. If I talk out my feelings, every doubt I express not only reacts upon myself, but it is a seed that will germinate and bear fruit in the life of others, and it may be impossible to counteract the influence of my words. I may be able to recover from the season of temptation and from the snare of Satan, but others who have been swayed by my influence may not be able to escape from the unbelief I have suggested. How important that I speak only those things that will give spiritual strength and life!

Angels are listening to hear what kind of report I am bearing to the world about my heavenly Master. Let my conversation be of Him who liveth to make intercession for my before the Father. When I take the hand of a friend, let praise to God be on my lips and in my heart. This will attract his thoughts to Jesus.

All have trials; griefs hard to bear, temptations hard to resist. But I need not tell my troubles to my fellow mortals, but carry everything to God in prayer. I make it a rule never to utter one word of doubt or discouragement. I can do much to brighten the life of others and strengthen their efforts, by words of hope and holy cheer.

There is many a brave soul sorely pressed by temptation, almost ready to faint in the conflict with self and with the powers of evil. I dare not discourage such a one in his hard struggle. I may cheer him with brave, hopeful words that shall urge him on his way. Thus the light of Christ may shine from me. "None of us lives to himself alone." By my unconscious influence others may be encouraged and strengthened, or they may be discouraged, and repelled from Christ and the truth.

There are many who have an erroneous idea of the life and character of Christ. They think that He was devoid of warmth and sunniness, that He was stern, severe, and joyless. In many cases the whole religious experience is colored by these gloomy views.

It is often said that Jesus wept, but that He was never known to smile. Our Saviour was indeed a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief, for He opened His heart to all the woes of men. But though His life was self-denying and shadowed with pain and care, His spirit was not crushed. His countenance did not wear an expression of grief and repining, but ever one of peaceful serenity. His heart was a wellspring of life, and wherever He went He carried rest and peace, joy and gladness.

My Saviour was deeply serious and intensely in earnest, but never gloomy or morose. If I wish to imitate Him, my life will be full of earnest purpose; I will have a deep sense of personal responsibility. Levity [the lack of seriousness] will be repressed; there will be no boisterous [unrestrained and undiciplined] merriment, no rude jesting; but the religion of Jesus gives peace like a river. It does not quench the light of joy; it does not restrain cheerfulness nor cloud the sunny, smiling face. Jesus came not to be ministered unto but to minister; and when His love reigns in my heart, I shall follow His example.

If I keep uppermost in my mind the unkind and unjust acts of others I shall find it impossible to love them as Jesus has loved me; but if my thoughts dwell upon the wondrous love and pity of Jesus for me, the same spirit will flow out to others. I should love and respect eveyone, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that I cannot help seeing. Humility and self-distrust should be cultivated, and a patient tenderness with the faults of others. This will kill out all narrowing selfishness and make me large-hearted and generous.

The psalmist says, "Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." "Trust in the Lord." Each day has its burdens, its cares and perplexities; and when socializing how ready I am to talk of my difficulties and trials. So many borrowed troubles intrude, so many fears are indulged, such a weight of anxiety is expressed, that one might suppose I had no pitying, loving Saviour ready to hear all my requests and to be to me a present help in every time of need.

Am I always fearing, and borrowing trouble? Every day I am surrounded with the tokens of God's love; every day I am enjoying the bounties of His providence; but I sometimes overlook these present blessings. My mind my be continually dwelling upon something disagreeable which I fear may come; or some difficulty may really exist which, though small, blinds my eyes to the many things that demand gratitude. The difficulties I encounter may, instead of driving me to God, the only source of my help, separate me from Him because they awaken unrest and repining.

Do I well to be thus unbelieving? Why should I be ungrateful and distrustful? Jesus is my friend; all heaven is interested in my welfare. I should not allow the perplexities and worries of everyday life to fret my mind and cloud my brow. If I do I shall always have something to vex and annoy. I should not indulge a solicitude that only frets and wears me, but does not help me to bear trials.

I may be perplexed in business; my prospects may grow darker and darker, and I may be threatened with loss; but I need not become discouraged; I can cast my care upon God, and remain calm and cheerful. I may pray for wisdom to manage my affairs with discretion, and thus prevent loss and disaster. I can do all I can on my part to bring about favorable results. Jesus has promised His aid, but not apart from my effort. When, relying upon my Helper, I have done all I can, accept the result cheerfully.

It is not the will of God that I should be weighed down with care. But my Lord does not deceive me. He does not say to me, "Do not fear; there are no dangers in your path." He knows there are trials and dangers, and He deals with me plainly. He does not propose to take me out of a world of sin and evil, but He points me to a never-failing refuge. His prayer for His disciples was, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one." "In this world," He says, "you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His disciples precious lessons in regard to the necessity of trusting in God. These lessons were designed to encourage the children of God through all ages, and they have come down to my time full of instruction and comfort. The Saviour points me to the birds of the air as they warbled their carols of praise, unencumbered with thoughts of care, for "They do not sow or reap." And yet the great Father provides for their needs. The Saviour asks, "Are you not much more valuable than they?" The great Provider for man and beast opens His hand and supplies all His creatures. The birds of the air are not beneath His notice. He does not drop the food into their bills, but He makes provision for their needs. They must gather the grains He has scattered for them. They must prepare the material for their little nests. They must feed their young. They go forth singing to their labor, for "your heavenly Father feeds them." And "are you not much more valuable than they?" Am I not, as an intelligent, spiritual worshiper, of more value than the birds of the air? Will not the Author of my being, the Preserver of my life, the One who formed me in His own divine image, provide for my necessities if I but trust in Him?

Christ pointed His disciples to the flowers of the field, growing in rich profusion and glowing in the simple beauty which the heavenly Father had given them, as an expression of His love to man. He said, "See how the lilies of the field grow." The beauty and simplicity of these natural flowers far outrival the splendor of Solomon. The most gorgeous attire produced by the skill of art cannot bear comparison with the natural grace and radiant beauty of the flowers of God's creation. Jesus asks, "It that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" If God, the divine Artist, gives to the simple flowers that perish in a day their delicate and varied colors, how much greater care will He have for those who are created in His own image? This lesson of Christ's is a rebuke to the anxious thought, the perplexity and doubt, of my faithless heart.

The Lord would have me happy, peaceful, and obedient. Jesus says, "my peace I give you. I do not give you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be comlete."

Happiness that is sought from selfish motives, outside of the path of duty, is ill-balanced, fitful, and transitory; it passes away, and my soul is filled with loneliness and sorrow; but there is joy and satisfaction in the service of God; I am not left to walk in uncertain paths; I am not left to vain regrets and disappointments. If I do not have the pleasures of this life I may still be joyful in looking to the life beyond.

But even here I may have the joy of communion with Jesus; I may have the light of His love, the perpetual comfort of His presence. Every step in life may bring me closer to Jesus, may give me a deeper experience of His love, and may bring me one step nearer to the blessed home of peace. Then let me not cast away my confidence, but have a firm assurance, firmer than ever before. "Thus far has the LORD helped us," and He will help us to the end." Let me look to the monumental pillars, reminders of what the Lord has done to comfort me and to save me from the hand of the destroyer. Let me keep fresh in my memory all the tender mercies that God has shown me, -- the tears He has wiped away, the pains He has soothed, the anxieties removed, the fears dispelled, the wants supplied, the blessings bestowed, -- thus strengthening myself for all that is before me through the remainder of my pilgrimage.

I cannot but look forward to new perplexities in the coming conflict, but I may look on what is past as well as on what is to come, and say, "Thus far has the LORD helped us." "your strength will equal your days." The trial will not exceed my strength that shall be given me to bear it. Then let me take up my work just where I find it, believing that whatever may come, strength proportionate to the trial will be given.

And by and by, the gates of heaven will be thrown open to admit this child of God, and from the lips of the King of glory the benediction will fall on my ears like richest music, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take you inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world."

Then the redeemed such as I will be welcomed to the home that Jesus is preparing for me. There my companions will not be the vile of earth, liars, idolaters, the impure, and unbelieving; but I will associate with those who have overcome Satan and through divine grace have formed perfect characters. Every sinful tendency, every imperfection, that afflicts me here has been removed by the blood of Christ, and the excellence and brightness of His glory, far exceeding the brightness of the sun, is imparted to me. And the moral beauty, the perfection of His character, shines through me, in worth far exceeding this outward splendor. I am without fault before the great white throne, sharing the dignity and the privileges of the angels.

In view of the glorious inheritance that may be mine, "What can a man give in exchange for his soul?" I may be poor, yet I possess in myself a wealth and dignity that the world could never bestow. The soul redeemed and cleansed from sin, with all its noble powers dedicated to the service of God, is of surpassing worth; and there is joy in heaven in the presence of God and the holy angels over one soul redeemed, a joy that is expressed in songs of holy triumph.

The End