“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:16-17
Have you ever met someone who seems to have all their heart’s desire, and yet they are still unhappy? Have you ever met someone who didn’t have a penny or possession to their name, but seemed to be perfectly happy? How is it that multimillionaires and mega movie stars can be so discontent; when they seem to have everything this world has to offer?
Real, true happiness can only be found in the field of contentment; and true contentment is not circumstantial; but is solely based on the circumstance of your soul. In short: “How is it with you and the Lord?” Look around you. What produces happiness? God created man and ordained a “quality” that we must look to. A standard was set which we must live to be truly happy. Very simply putting God first and the commandments found in the pages of his Holy Word will bring about this quality of life. A life that is happy and blessed. Will you have problems? Yes. Will you have trails? Certainly, but the peace and contentment found deep down inside your soul will not flee and will not change. In fact, you find that your happiness and contentment is not circumstantial, because the circumstance of your soul is always the same. The heart is set on things above and not on things of this earth. That circumstance is simply, God First. When you keep God first everything else falls into place; when you make his will and wish your first and foremost, there is no circumstance that can affect the inner peace that you feel inside. For “godliness with contentment is great gain.” This is the quality and standard of living that brings peace and happiness. When you try to pervert the order and try to put yourself first, that is when you begin to find trouble, heartache, and discontentment, because it is righteousness and godliness the soul thirsts after. Just as the lost sailor becomes overcome with dehydration and begins to drink from the ocean, only to find that his thirst is not quenched, only made worse. So, a man that drinks and drinks the sinful, saltwater of the world, only to find that the agony of dehydration is still there. But when you find that cool and gentle spring; that well of living water, and drink of that cup; oh, you will never thirst again. That cup is Christ.
Contentment, peace, happiness, and joy are ever present and reigning within, because you have set your priorities in order, and you have the right Captain guiding your vessel. Through your devotion to Christ, you find the love to help others. To serve, love, live, and be in obedience to God. In loving God, you love your fellowman, this love promotes service and in this we find happiness. We find peace; “not as the world giveth.”
