Good News Sense

It’s Christmas! Should I Be Happy?

Ordinary shepherds watched their flocks on Judah’s hill;

Hard-working men with mouths to feed, they toiled like you and me.

With struggles, doubts, and fears they lived, with little hope until…

Hark! The herald angels came with peace to set them free.

Every little girl, it seems, dreams to have a child;

“Round, yon virgin,” voices sing, so sweet, but was it so?

Every girl who bears a babe is often seen defiled;

In Mary’s anguish, Jesus came, our joy amidst her woe.

Solemn Joseph, pregnant wife, and child not his—what pain!

Mary’s shame, his burden too, no angel’s words forestall,

Yes, he heard the bitter words, yet faithful did remain;

Jesus, child of God he was, the one to save us all.

Our hurts are theirs; no plastic saints, all humans wonder why;

Yet grace through trials conquers all, and Christmas joys supply.

Is Christmas really about childish glee and sappy sentimentalism? Harsh words, I know, and they don’t reflect my true feelings because I really don’t mind such things. I do oppose them becoming the primary spirit of Christmas. For all their emphasis in our present day, feelings do not hold us up when things are tough, and life is often difficult for most of us—lost jobs, desperately sick loved ones, broken hearts, and shattered dreams! Colorful lights and beautiful music don’t make grief, sadness, or despair go away. By all means, enjoy the sweet moments, for the bitter do come.

So what is all this business of “Joy?” Jesus coming in the incarnation was an awesome event, but it was a costly miracle for Mary and Joseph. Our easy acceptance of the virgin birth doesn’t remove the stigma of illegitimacy for them. Did the lives of the shepherds suddenly become lives of comfort and ease after the angels’ visit and a visit to the stable? Their hearts may have been lifted by the knowledge of the Savior’s birth, but their struggles remained the next morning. As remarkable as the accounts make them seem to us—the purposes of God notwithstanding—our lives are no different than theirs.

God used them to fulfill his plan and change the world, but God uses us in much the same way if we, like they, are willing to accept his direction. Where’s the joy? Joy comes to us in serving him through the difficulties of life. Joy comes to others through the fruit that our lives produce, even as we struggle and suffer. Through us and our pain, the Lord comes, again and again. Joy to the world! The Lord has come.

“Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”—from Nehemiah 8:8-11

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”—from Psalm 126:5

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance…”—from James 1:2-5

I’m not a morning person. I don’t wake up, jump out of bed, and race to face the challenges of the day. I don’t do perky. I can function, when necessary, and even be pleasant; but I like later in the day much better. I sing in choir, and we sing for a fairly early service at 9 a.m., with a warm-up at 8:15. My voice even prefers a later time, but I manage. Joy may come in the morning, but I’d gladly take mine at, oh, say, 10!

However, joy is to be our outlook, all the time, regardless of apparent reasons to feel bad or good. For example, the current political situation either thrills or terrifies people, even and perhaps especially Christians. For believers, this is a problem. Our happiness and peace of mind should never depend on purely earthly circumstances. Yes, we are to be conscientious citizens who pay attention, consider carefully, and vote sensibly, but we should be wary of anchoring our “faith” in the outcome. The foundation of our joy is elsewhere.

At the same time, joy is not mindless bliss. God doesn’t expect us to enjoy bad things or endure them as if they were pleasant. To understand joy, we must cultivate an attitude that see past the moment and past the circumstances of this life. To an extent, as the Scriptures state, we learn joy in the midst of whatever we must face. Times of sadness, grief, and other tear-producing situations are times when we may sow, so that later we may reap joy. Enduring temptation and learning faith also leads to joy.

Looking at it in another way, if we always have good times and everything is as we wish, we will never really learn joy or appreciate what God gives. On the other hand, if we grumble, complain, and worry our way through the hard times and feel like everything is hopeless, we aren’t understanding that God will prevail and we will overcome to gain a “joy inexpressible and full of (His) glory.”

Here’s Peter’s full explanation:  “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

I won’t tell you that this process is easy or that I have mastered it.  I struggle not to fear the things that worry me; I tend to relax when things seem good.  The key is to look beyond the immediate to the God that is beneath, above, behind, and ahead of all things good and bad.  That perspective will keep our thoughts on the truly good news and our hearts securely anchored in “the One who loves us and gave himself for us.”

One of my students asked me, the other day, why old people are always mad. I guess I still count as “not old,” because he asked me like it was a problem for other, older folks, but it was a good question. I have noticed the same thing, and I think I know why.

We live in a culture that prefers youth; it virtually idolizes the young. In such a culture, getting old is a curse, a thing to be dreaded, resisted, and regretted by those who are younger and by the aged themselves. We spend fortunes on facilities and resources to hold back the effects of age—cosmetics, plastic surgery, fitness facilities, and medicines. We not only want to prevent aging but deny death itself, although neither is possible.

I suspect those who most seek perpetual youth are the most unhappy when they can no longer deny the relentless march of time. Lines and wrinkles begin to appear; hair begins to thin, and gravity demands its due. People realize they have less energy, less stamina, and more aches and pains. The seems to be less muscle and more bulk. The skin begins to look like that of parents and, in time, grandparents.

I remember an eye exam over a decade ago. My optometrist had put me through most of the routine when I realized he was hedging about something. When the light finally dawned, I asked him if he was trying to tell me I needed bifocals. Even when I asked directly, he seemed reluctant to come right out and make his honest evaluation. I’d worn glasses since I was 13 and had already accepted the stigma attached to being a “four-eyes.” Thirty or forty years later, I still preferred being able to see over catering to some pointless demand of ego.  I’ve also long declined to comb a few long strands over the growing area of bare skin.  Who do we think we’re fooling with all that pretense?

How many people lie about their age? After wanting so desperately to be older, once the benchmark of 21 has passed, many begin to want to be younger. Personally, I don’t play that silly game. I am proud of every year of life God has granted me, thus far. I might wish a bit more physical ability and less discomfort, and I would prefer not to be avoided or discounted for being “over the hill.”

Paul says,  “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.“

Being grumpy because one is no longer young is not appropriate.  In fact, it’s bad advertising.  In the midst of sickness, pain, and grief, or even conflict like the situation mentioned Paul, a Christian needs to seek a perspective that permits joy and rejoicing.  A sense of humor helps, that is, not taking oneself so seriously.  This isn’t about mindless happiness.  We may not be able to stop the deterioration of age, but we are not helpless.  Obviously, we can take care of ourselves, and make the most of the benefits that maturity brings (I prefer the view of cultures that respect the elderly).  If those of us who are older embrace our maturity with grace and good humor, we may encourage those who are younger to recognize the wisdom in a better attitude toward aging, but if we only express discontent with our situation, then they will regard growing older as something to dread.

In any event, Paul injunction is clear:  “Rejoice in the Lord always.”  It’s worth repeating:  “Again, I say, rejoice!“

If you watch, listen to, or read the news regularly, then it is likely you have gained a pessimistic sense of the future. Bad news sells, and bad news is mostly what we get. Worse, we get biased news, heavily slanted, in most cases, against the spiritual heritage and values we treasure. Not real progress, secular progressives seek a future free of God, godly values, and individual freedom, except for themselves perhaps. For such reporters, much of what they see is bad if it hinders their vision of the future.

Immersion in a relentless drone of negativity makes it hard not to accept their assertions. An example might be gay rights. Their view is that preventing people from living as they choose is discrimination and a violation of civil rights. If they could only enjoy all the privileges that heterosexuals enjoy, they could be happy. However, if homosexual behavior is a sin problem, as the Bible teaches, then they will never achieve their goal of happiness, even if they get the legal protections and acceptance they desire. Indeed, many heterosexuals and homosexuals have the same problem, a desire to live faithlessly and enjoy themselves apart from marriage. Legitimized immoral behavior through access to legal marriage has been rejected by virtually all civilized cultures throughout history.

Yet, the barrage of negativity and anti-Christian rhetoric assails us unceasingly. How can we fail to be discouraged? Our very way of life, more than threatened, seems on the verge of disappearing into a world that we don’t recognize and in which we wouldn’t belong. Moreover, recent economic troubles and government solutions that creep toward socialism and away from capitalism threaten our both our freedom and our very livelihoods. Is it any wonder that people despair for the future?

Our President-elect campaigned on hope, but since his election, he hasn’t been using that word. I’d like to believe he meant more than “I hope you will vote for me.” Many of his supporters have been rather unquestioning in their acceptance of his promises, even when they were rather vague. Frankly, I put little faith in the promises of men, especially when they’re seeking votes or money. I might say that I hope he becomes a better President than I expect, but that is a rather vapid use of the word.

Against all that, is true hope even possible? The answer is yes! No matter what men and women think or say, God is God. His promises remain, and He keeps His promises. His word even identified the doubt we see and sometimes feel, years ago in II Peter 3:3, 4, “(I)n the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, ‘Where is this “coming” he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning…’ ”

Peter continues in verse nine with this encouragement, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” The Lord is keeping his own timetable and accomplishing His purposes. Our response, in verses 11 and 12, “(W)hat kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” He suggests we look ahead, hopefully, and live right. The temptation is to give up and live like our unbelieving neighbors; many believers already do. The more we slip into their attitudes and their immorality, the more we will find ourselves filled with doubt, as well as guilt.

God has our eternal future covered, but the principles of living he has given us may powerfully alter the more immediate future as well. The application of Biblical principles created what we call Western Civilization; it is the true source of human dignity, compassionate activities from medicine to homes for orphaned children, individual freedom, and prosperity derived from the hard work of people living freely, often honoring God in all their endeavors. The way of life that secular progressives are bent on changing can be restored by the same manner in which it was created, with the diligent influence of God’s people.

The good news is that God’s ways are better and He will indeed fulfill His promises. However grim things may appear to be, no matter how gloomy the news may seem, the future is bright. If we don’t give up, we may even discover that we have a positive impact on the near future. The world’s ways aren’t better, their “values” are not superior, and our ways, our God’s way, will indeed lead to joy and contentment that they cannot find without Him. That’s my good news sense for today.

“Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy all the time,” says a children’s song. An old gospel song says, “It’s just like Jesus to take the clouds away.” Really? Is that consistent with Scriptures like “In this world you will have tribulation,” “They will hate you because they have hated me,” or “I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed to us in the future?” Adults who expect Jesus to take their “clouds” away will often discover otherwise, and telling children that a Christian’s life is “happy all the time” is lying to them, setting them up for disillusionment as they grow up.

Worry comes easily these days; so many things threaten one’s sense of security—a grim view of the economy, high gas prices, war fatalities, and threats of terrorism. Depending on a person’s ideology, the coming election may provoke hope, despair, or cynicism. Few are optimistic, and even those will likely be disappointed. Some simply refuse to get involved and seek passing relief in sex, drugs or alcohol, or other indulgence.

Even redeemed, sinners living in a fallen world of sinners suffer; it is unavoidable. We struggle in our relationships because getting along with sinners, even the better ones, is hard. People disappoint and hurt us, some by accident and some with ill intent. We experience both physical and mental agony. We also suffer from illness and injury, birth defects and inherited disorders, and the disabilities of age. We endure limitations, discomfort, chronic pain, and the looming reality of death. Fear of death is frightening, but losing a precious loved to death is yet another kind of anguish, grief exacerbated if death comes to a child in a tragic accident or unexpected calamity. Finally are the misfortunes that take away home or livelihood—fires, natural disasters, business reversals, job losses, or social upheavals. In this world, we do suffer.

Human suffering may be solitary or involve an entire community or people—war, famine, epidemic, poverty, or natural disaster. When the various causes of pain and anguish combine, as when families fight after a parent dies or thieves steal in the wake of a natural disaster, the toll is even greater. What is clear is that in this world, even for the finest, most upstanding Christians, life is no bowl of cherries. Or if it is, why am I “always in the pits,” as Erma Bombeck entitled book? Amazingly, even when life seems to be good, darkness apparently haunts some; consider the suicides of celebrities or even of bright young people who appear to have wonderful lives.

The good news is that God has arranged for encouragement to sustain us, this side of eternity. Words such as “blessed,” “joy,” and “contentment” convey a suitable alternative to “happy, happy, happy,” but we must not confuse them. The reality is wonderful, but expecting to simply “feel good” all the time can be devastating, even to the destruction of a person’s faith. Trying to comprehend the difference has even led me to question the concept of “endless bliss.” Perhaps that is why C. S. Lewis entitled his autobiography Surprised by Joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice,” wrote Paul, suggesting that we must choose to look beyond the “momentary” suffering to the Lord who suffered to make a way out for us. Paul also said, “I have learned to be content.” If Paul had to learn, then most likely we will need to work at learning how to be content. This may be harder in a culture of ever more immediate gratification. Contentment requires a willingness to accept what is while we wait for what will be. The cap on all of this comes in the Beatitudes where Jesus promises blessings for all kinds of people including the suffering “poor in spirit.” Life ain’t easy, but the good news is that, in Jesus, it is more than bearable.

(I posted this earlier, and it was lost due for technical reasons.  If anything, it is even more appropriate as we seem to face increasingly bad economic news.  Believers dare not put rest their outlook in this world but in the realities rooted in the next!)