“I hope you’re happy.” Usually when someone says that, they are upset with you, and what they really mean is that they hope you are not happy. Unless it happens to be the Lord who is saying it to you. God does want you to be happy. Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. God wants you to be happy, and you will be, if you follow Jesus.
If you follow Jesus, you will be happy no matter what happens. When the Apostle Paul wrote about joy in his letter to the Philippians, he was in prison, not sure whether he would live or die. Paul said he would be content either way. That may feel extreme to us, but we tend to go to the other extreme. We think that if thinks break our way, we will be fine, but if things break the other way, we are doomed. Not necessarily so. If you follow Jesus, you will be happy to matter what happens.
If you follow Jesus, you will be happy because you have a purpose greater than your own. While Paul was languishing in prison, other evangelists were spreading the message about Jesus. Some were pleased to do what Paul could not. Some even took delight that Paul was incarcerated. Paul said that was okay with him. Paul said it didn’t matter, as long as Christ was proclaimed. If you follow Jesus, you will be happy because you have a purpose greater than your own.
If you follow Jesus, you will know God and be happier than you could otherwise be. We find joy in the things of this world, and there is nothing wrong with that. We find joy in our work, in our relationships, and in our avocations. However, there are two problems with the happiness we find in this world. First, it’s all going to go away someday. Second, the happiness this world gives pales in comparison with knowing God through Jesus Christ. If you follow Jesus, you will know God and be happier than you could otherwise be.
In our sermon this Sunday we will talk about joy, the second fruit of the Spirit.