No matter how we live or what we do, and no matter what happens around us, Heaven has its own plans for us—plans that do not change, slow down, or suffer delay. Now is the time to be happy. And the closer we come to the end, the harder it becomes to learn this art.
Perhaps I know a little more than you do about the laws of happiness. I understand how to apply them in my life, yet even so, I see and experience constant attacks upon my soul—attacks intended to deprive me of harmony with God and destroy the balance of peace and joy in my life, both in my emotions and in my principles. These temptations are so subtle and treacherous that they are sometimes difficult to recognize at first. Sources of unhappiness may even be found in my dearest and closest friends, or in the familiar activities and things around me. Yet it is precisely my knowledge of the laws of happiness, together with God’s constant grace, that helps me quickly recognize an alien influence forcing its way into my heart and robbing me of peace with God. Then my whole being begins to tremble, to recall all the laws that have protected me until now, and to search for a breach in the fence so that I can take steps to repair what has gone wrong.
I have grown so accustomed to happiness that I have begun to assume everyone around me is just as happy. I am continually amazed at how quickly people find and create problems for themselves where none exist and none should exist.
More than anything, I am afraid of becoming unhappy, because that condition will lead me to incurable diseases and spiritual death. To be unhappy amid such abundance, while possessing the fullness of light—in other words, to choose darkness—is a crime against God.
Our time is remarkable because digital technology emerged in the last days, and now each of you holds in your hands a technological wonder beyond the dreams of even the boldest science-fiction writers. Yet we have grown accustomed even to this and can no longer imagine life without smartphones and the Internet.
This achievement is also remarkable because it has become a powerful rival to God in gaining worshipers and unhappy souls for itself. People communicate less face-to-face, visit one another less often, think less, and move less. The words spoken about our age are fitting indeed: ‘...and they knew not...’
Even across the vast reaches of the Internet, communication often takes place through other people’s quotations, pictures, videos, and links. Creative people invent, film, design, or write something and then share it with friends, who share it with other friends. Many people live only to surprise others, gain more followers, likes, or views, or simply kill time in front of that little screen.
Entertainment, games, and shopping—these are the god of our age. And they create an illusion of happiness. The brain receives hormones of pleasure and satisfaction, not from good deeds, physical activity, or pleasant fellowship, but from a stream of information that it does not even have time to absorb.
But our Good Shepherd addresses us with this declaration: ‘And knowest not that thou art...miserable...’
Unhappiness is the disease of our time, our world, and our friends. We see it all around us, yet sometimes we do not even recognize it for what it is.
And when the Lord declares us miserable, He also provides a way out of that condition. He offers us, in all its fullness, precisely what He has never offered to anyone before. He presents Himself—humbly and without pressure—and says that He is the very best He has to give.
Christ is coming soon. And when He comes, will He find faith on the earth? Will He find faith that all His offers are true and real, that they work in a person’s life and transform it? He longs for our happiness and teaches that we can become happy, but only by obtaining what He counsels us to receive. He loves me and all those for whom He died. He loves His entire creation. And He suffers with each one of us. Can you imagine how painful it is for Jesus to watch people who are close to the Source of happiness—only one short prayer away—choose suffering, disappointment, sickness, and death? What sorrow!
When you love, you share that love with those around you. You look for ways to improve your friends’ lives, but very often all you see are their backs, their ridicule, and their disbelief that a better life is possible even in this world.
What a paradox. Everyone seeks happiness apart from the Source of happiness. People wish happiness for one another, yet make no effort to understand what it is. Everyone always wants to be in a good mood, yet they do not want to be friends with the One Whose presence continually gladdens the heart. What can be done?
Let us, at least within the scope of this message, look inside ourselves. What do I understand from what I am reading? Do I have questions for Jesus? Do I desire change? This is a very serious subject. It demands intense thought and a far-reaching decision of the will. So what do I choose? What will I do with Jesus, Who is once again standing and knocking, and perhaps even crying out at the door of my heart? Before He leaves forever, He will not ask in a whisper to be let in. He will cry out so loudly that the whole world will tremble. Will those who have rejected Him all their lives hear Him? Yes, they will hear—and become even more hardened, shut themselves away forever, and perhaps even call the police to remove the One Who has already become a nuisance to them.
Whether I want it or not, the message about accepting love and happiness changes me. As I become acquainted with it, I choose either to accept the offer and live with these blessings, or to reject it and continue along the path I have chosen for myself—without love, without happiness, without light—using in my life only what I have already accumulated but have not yet had time to spend.
If I decide to wait and refuse to let Christ in, I run the risk of never doing so.
I know many people who, shortly after coming to church and before they even understood the truth, decided to enter into covenant with God through baptism by full immersion in water. I was one of them. After taking that step, we began to grow quickly. But I also know people who have attended church for years, know all the doctrines and observe them, yet have no desire to be baptized and become full members of God’s family. This is one of the conditions for entering the Heavenly dwelling places, and there is no other way.
It is the same with happiness. Many know the theory, but only a few decide to enter into the joy of their Lord. Yet Heaven waits. Heaven cries out. Heaven is not idle.
Billions of holy beings wait intently for the moment when someone chooses the path of unconditional love, complete happiness, and close fellowship with Jesus, so that they may carry each such person in their arms and protect them, teaching them the laws of happiness, love, and friendship.
Let us bring joy to our kind angels and our loving Lord through our interest in and thirst for this subject. And we will receive what we choose.
Revelation 3:18 is the little key to the door of the Land of Happiness. If I pass it by, fail to pay attention to this verse, or do not understand what is being offered to me, all my knowledge may begin to work against me and against my happiness.
If God Himself has decided to give Himself in all His fullness and then comes to teach me how to make use of this Gift, He takes a keen interest in how I respond to It and what I do with It. If I have no interest, I will have no desire to explore such an offer. Yes, I may happen to receive what Heaven has prepared while knowing other truths as well. But we should not play the lottery with God. A very high price was paid for this Gift, and very great expectations are placed upon us.
Bible verses for this chapter:
Revelation 3:18; Luke 9:45, 62; Romans 14:17; John 17:13; Isaiah 54:13; 2 Timothy 3:14; Philippians 2:12–13; Hosea 11:4; Matthew 23:37–38; Jeremiah 7:13–16; Matthew 11:28–30; Hosea 11:7–8; Hebrews 12:3–4; Romans 10:1–3; 4:3–8