If asked, “What is it that makes us happy?” I wonder what answers we would come up with. No doubt, many would say, having good health, or having the bills paid and money in the bank, some would say having their family close by would make them happy. Happiness is the result of circumstances in our lives. Joy, on the other hand, can be a constant in our lives. Joy is a fruit of living a spirit-filled life. A life lived with an awareness of God’s presence.
I remember as I was pastoring a small church, after finishing the morning service, a member approached me and wanted to show me something in one of the restrooms. Well, one of the toilets was plugged up and this member asked me, “What were we going to do?” I said, “What do you think we are going to do?” Then I proceeded to get the plunger and unplug the toilet. I didn’t know if this person was putting me to a test or they genuinely had no clue. But, the situation was solved and life went on.
John 13:16-17 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. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. (Emphasis added)
The Greek word translated happy in this passage is translated blessed or blessing in other passages in the New Testament. Jesus had just finished washing the feet of His disciples. He was demonstrating to them the need for humility of service in their lives. After all, these are the same men that were arguing about who would be the greatest among them. The Lord wanted them to know that their happiness would come from humble service to others. But, He also went on to qualify their happiness is in the doing, not just the knowing.
We can fill our minds with the Word of God, and we ought to, but, merely knowing the Word is not going to make us happy. We need to apply what we have learned to our lives. So many times people sit in church and shake their heads in agreement with the Preacher, yet the word preached does not impact the way they live. In other words, they are hearers of the Word and not doers of the word. This leads to a life that is void of happiness or the blessings of God!
We all want to lead a happy and fulfilled life. We desire to have God’s blessings, yet we do not allow the Word of God to change our behavior. Jesus said, that we should not only know we are supposed to be humble servants but to BE humble servants. The example is the Lord Himself. We must lay aside our pride and be willing to humble ourselves and DO the lowly tasks and not to think that a task is below us or that someone else should do it. Jesus didn’t instruct us to run around being feet washers, but we should be willing to do it if it needs to be done. We then can be humble and happy.