The foundation of the little house of happiness has been laid—or, more precisely, it has been chosen. It is very strong, eternal, and infinite. It is not merely a simple stone, but a beautiful combination of precious stones, each distinguished by its color, beauty, purity, and unique qualities. I understand that I now need to determine the location and dimensions of the building. The fact that the Rock is immense in Its limitless dimensions and can bear anything does not mean that I should build something beyond comprehension or plan something boundless. Let it be a small house, but one that is mine—built with my own hands, made from pieces of my soul, and adorned with the sincere intentions of my heart.
I am planning a simple structure with four outer corners, and I have decided to bind each corner permanently to the Foundation. To do this, I began cutting into the Rock, passing through every stage of growth and seeking to reach a depth of relationship where I can firmly take hold and bind my heart to the Rock forever. This first corner of mine is called, ‘I believe,’ and the key word is ‘I.’ However personal and bold that may sound, it is precisely ‘I’ who must be the connecting material in my building; it is my hands of faith that must erect it; and it is this state of mind that gives me the right motive and direction. Simply saying ‘faith’ is good, but if the word ‘my’ is absent from it, faith may remain a theory forever—merely a beautiful sound with profound meaning.
‘I believe’—these words bind me to Christ so firmly that no power in the world can break that bond. Even if the whole structure is built incorrectly and destroyed by various trials, my faith will help me endure everything that comes crashing down upon me. I am expected to believe in what I cannot see.
The distinctive feature of the foundation of my little house of happiness is that it cannot be seen with ordinary sight or imagined by the carnal mind. It is eternal and infinite, yet invisible and incomprehensible to those who are spiritually blind. It is the eyes of my faith that reveal to my imagination the beautiful landscapes of an unknown land of happiness, peace, and love. My faith paints pictures of a wonderful future life and opens before me the possibilities that lie in this direction. My faith carries me on its wings and reveals to me the mystery of infinity. With its help, I immerse myself in visions of what is unknown, great, and beyond reach.
Much of what we learn in the School of Love will never be visible to ordinary sight. Yet the eyes of faith show us what is hidden and assure us that inexhaustible prospects of eternal growth and the discovery of endless truths are open to the immortal imagination of God’s born-again children.
I believe. This declaration penetrates so deeply into the very heart of the Lord that the only outcome is complete union with the Divine nature, just as a grape branch joins with the vine when it is grafted into the trunk. My sinful being is joined to the Holy God, Jesus, and the pure blood of Christ begins to nourish me with its cleansing power, imparting to me eternal life of Heavenly origin. And I believe this.
My faith holds me to the solid Foundation with the strong bond of my heart. When dreadful trials come, my faith is transformed into trust and, when necessary, into absolute trust. Then I rest in the assurance that everything is in God’s hands and under His control, and that all will be fulfilled exactly as the Lord promised—or as He sees fit to fulfill His promises in my life. At such a time I may see nothing, but the eyes of faith carry me to where the invisible becomes real, and my patience draws my heart closer to the union of what is expected with what was promised. Faith binds these together and brings them to fulfillment through the visible action of God in my human nature.
Without faith it is impossible to please the Almighty, and it is even more unthinkable to build a strong relationship with Someone in Whom you do not believe and Whom you do not trust.
Sometimes I conduct the following experiment. While in a small gathering, I tell the people that I have a banknote in my pocket and will give it to the first person who comes to me and asks for it. Then I ask those listening whether they believe my promise, and I watch. Everyone nods in agreement, but no one jumps up to ask for what was promised. I try to assure them that I truly have what I said I had. They believe me, yet remain seated. But I am waiting for the person whose faith will lead him to stand, come forward, and ask me to give him what I promised. It will not be difficult for me to part with that bill. It is no longer mine. It is waiting for the one whose actions and trust will show me that he has come for what was promised to him. And he will receive it. Everyone believed me, but only one person came. Sometimes no one comes at all. And who is at fault then? Am I? I did not deceive anyone. Everything I promised is still with me.
Simply saying, ‘I believe,’ is good—better than declaring unbelief. But the next step must be: ‘I am going to receive what was promised. Please give me what has become mine by faith.’ Only then do I receive it.
What would it look like if I went around forcing upon the seated people something they did not need and for which they had not trusted me? That would show disrespect for their freedom of choice. Therefore, all I can do is wait.
Once I promised a businessman that I would help him resolve his financial difficulties if the need arose. Some time later, he came to me and asked, ‘Could you fulfill your promise? Does it still stand?’ Although I myself was going through difficult times, I found a way to meet his expectation and kept my word.
I believe God, not because I see or feel something that confirms my confidence, but because He has promised it to me. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
I believe in my happiness and that it can be built in my life—not because I decided that it could, but because the Lord promised it to me, showing how blessed are those who rise and begin to live this way. But to receive what was promised, I first need to learn about it.
When my wife was pregnant, we joyfully awaited the birth of our child and dreamed of nothing else. Then we were told that we could receive various forms of financial assistance for the birth of a child at no cost to us. We accepted this information and went to claim what was ours. After completing the necessary paperwork, we were surprised to receive the promised money and gifts. I was ashamed of my unbelief, yet what was rightfully ours was readily given to us. No one, however, had forced this assistance upon us or even told us about it. We learned of it only by chance from people who knew more than we did.
Friends, happiness exists. It can be received, and we can live in it. This is God’s plan for us. Happiness is so accessible and simple that all we need to do is rise and go receive it—and it will be ours. Do you believe this? I believed, and I am happy.
‘I believe’ is something personal that I cannot give to others. It is my oil for my lamp. But more oil can still be bought.
Bible verses for this chapter:
John 20:29; 2 Corinthians 5:7; Habakkuk 2:4; Isaiah 54:11–12; Psalm 89:15–16; Psalm 97:2; Hebrews 10:38–39; 11:6; John 15:4–8; Romans 10:17; 14:23; Galatians 2:20; 3:11