Happiness means letting God love you. Happiness means choosing to become materially poor (Mt 5:3). Your heavenly Father will rain manna from heaven or send ravens with bread and meat morning and evening (1 Kgs 17:6). That's much more fun than trying to become rich enough, independent enough not to need anyone, even God.
Happiness means taking risks, living free and bold enough to be persecuted for holiness' sake (Mt 5:10). Happiness is being on the spot and needing desperately God's protection and miraculous powers. That's much more exciting than a "play-it-safe" life. Happiness means falling in love with Jesus and becoming preoccupied with Him. Your heart desires only Him. Therefore, you are single-hearted (Mt 5:8).
Life becomes worth living when you're in love and not doomed to distract yourself from the emptiness inside. Happiness means hungering and thirsting for holiness rather than selfishness (Mt 5:6). When you're filled with selfish concerns, you're even more empty. When you're filled with holiness, you're "fulfilled." Jesus made us. He knows how we tick and how to make us happy. Do you believe Him?
| PRAYER: | Lord, may I stop trying to make myself happy and start listening to You. |
| PROMISE: | "Blest are the lowly; they shall inherit the land." –Mt 5:5 |
| PRAISE: | Steven's love for God impelled him to move hundreds of miles to work for the Lord in Presentation Ministries. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College