“I deserve to be happy.”
As a pastor, I’ve sat down with many people and heard this statement countless times.
Is it possible that we have set our sights on the wrong goal?
We have interchanged the goal and the result.
Hebrews 10:10 says, “For God’s will was for us to be made holy by the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.”
1 Peter 1:15. “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”
God’s goal for you is not your happiness but your holiness.
Now because you are pleasing God, then one of the possible results of that is your happiness.
But that’s not that goal.
How does this translate to life, then? I’m glad you asked.
Paul says in the book of 2 Corinthians to make it our goal to please Him. Therefore, our pursuit of holiness goes beyond just being in church. Gospel driven holiness is applied in the office, your campus, at home, in the kitchen, while driving, or while in the mall.
The result may or may not be happiness. The one sure result that the fruit of the Holy Spirit brings is the fruit of joy. This goes beyond circumstances and happenings (same root word as happiness).
God is working not to bring ease and comfort to you but to bring growth and maturity.
And in that, there is unspeakable joy.
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