I recently watched a video of Victoria Osteen speaking to thousands of lost souls in a stadium. What she said has upset a lot of people. Here, have a listen.
Why are people upset? Because she is making a mockery out of our Father. Yes, God does love for us to be happy. But our happiness lies in Him, not in ourselves. To put this into worldly terms: I love seeing my children happy. I love when they smile, when they laugh, when they giggle. But I take absolutely no pleasure in them disobeying me. I don’t care how happy they are if I find them shoving toys down the toilet. That will not bring me joy. They will have so much more “happiness” if they choose to obey me. I know what will happen if they choose to obey and what will happen if they choose to disobey. How about sticking a fork in an electrical outlet? I know how that ends. Despite how exciting it may be for the child at the time.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:16-17 ESV)
Jesus did not answer the rich man by saying, “aw, well, ya know, just be happy.” God loves you and He wants you to be happy, yes.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11 ESV)
A rapist is happiest when he rapes. A serial killer is happiest when he kills. A liar is happiest when she lies. Do I need to continue? IT’S NOT ABOUT US!! It never was and never is! And once we realize we’re making it about us we’re sinning and pushing God off of the throne of our hearts and we’re sitting our plump bottoms down there instead. We are sinners. We need to remember that. Every single day I need to remind my little children who their mom is. They need reminded that they’re not in charge. That God has put me and their father over them and that God is over us all.
Do I even need to mention Jesus crying in the garden when He knew what was about to happen? Happiness? That is the hard eucharisteo. The indescribable hard eucharisteo.
Allow John Piper’s words to soak in. Remember them. Think on them.
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” -John Piper
Blessings!
