Let me ask you a question… are you ‘happy’ (your definition), pleased with you and who you are becoming? Is your becoming constantly (again, your definition) growing in understanding?
“Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].” [Proverbs 4:6-8]
When you look at who you were 6 months ago in comparison to now, do you see a refining? Is this the you, you want to be? Are you taking time to:
“Study and do your best to present yourself to God approved, a workman [tested by trial] who has no reason to be ashamed, accurately handling and skillfully teaching the word of truth. But avoid all irreverent babble and godless chatter [with its profane, empty words], for it will lead to further ungodliness,…” [2 Timothy: 2:15-16]
The context is you as a Christian. I’m not judging you but you should judge you. Judging isn’t a negative, actually it’s the best friend to ‘study’ because it focuses on discovering what you know which leads to discovering what you need to know. How many times does it say in scripture – examine. Scripture doesn’t say that as an accusation, it is reminding us that we live in a fallen world and sin resides at our doorstep just waiting to trip us up.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully]. Be sober [well balanced and self-disciplined], be alert and cautious at all times. That enemy of yours, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion [fiercely hungry], seeking someone to devour. But resist him, be firm in your faith [against his attack—rooted, established, immovable], knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being experienced by your brothers and sisters throughout the world. [You do not suffer alone.] (1 Peter 5:6-9)
Did you notice how many times the word ‘all’ was used? I believe it’s deliberate because we need to see the vastness of the Lord’s ‘all’ – it’s no little thing. These verses start with telling us what we need to do, then why, then what we receive when we do. It then points to our adversary and what he tries to do, then to what we can do and what is established when we do, and ends these verses with the commonality we who unite under the banner of Jesus have.
I started this little discussion with the title: Happy… Pleased? So … are you? Minimally you should feel that you are not walking alone. We may get lonely occasionally but we are never alone. That fact alone should bring a sense of belonging. And the attribute of belonging goes a long way in describing ‘happy’ and ‘pleased’.
