Let us imagine the following situation:
A land bank grants me nonrepayable funding to build a home large enough for me, my family, and my friends. In addition, I have the right to build as many houses nearby as I wish, and I may rent them out or give them away at my discretion. The municipality will provide me with land for construction wherever I choose. An architectural firm has agreed to draw up the plans and prepare the calculations for all my buildings. Construction and transportation companies are waiting for my command to begin the project. Everything now depends solely on my decision about when to set the process in motion. Everything has come to a standstill, awaiting my command.
Yet the following questions arise in my mind. If I take this step of faith and begin construction, will I have the strength to complete everything this undertaking promises? Will my house be reliable enough to withstand any disaster? Will the building be beautiful and comfortable enough for me to live in? Will I suffer there from heat or cold? What if the house has no bathroom, or no provision has been made for a water supply? What if the electricity or gas is shut off? What will I do then, and where will I go? What if the bank stops financing the project? Where will I find the money to finish it? What if the authorities change their minds about giving me anything? All these questions trouble me and keep me from beginning construction.
And so I content myself with renting a modest place and quietly live out my days, dreaming that someday a miracle will happen and everything will become different for me. Then I will enter that different and beautiful future, and life there will be good. My entire life is spent on these dreams. I write books about them, attend seminars on these subjects, and think about them from morning until evening. Yet I do nothing to change anything.
A foolish situation? Or perhaps the situation itself is normal, but the person who has fallen into it is foolish?
Do you think I will be able to build anything for myself under these circumstances, even if I eventually decide that I want to? What is the heart of the problem? I believe the problem lies within me.
Let us speak about another, very real situation and consider it in the same way.
God has prepared limitless Heavenly resources to provide me with everything necessary to build my little house of happiness, where I, my family, my friends, and anyone else who wishes may live. The Highest Authorities are willing to grant me a sphere of influence wherever I desire to have one. God’s faithful servants have drawn up detailed plans and calculations for my salvation and have described every prospect for my further growth. God’s angels are waiting for my command to begin building my happiness, and they are ready to teach me love and friendship, whose development will never end. Everything stands still, awaiting my decision and my command to begin this process.
But I have many questions and fears that hold me back. What if God changes His mind? What if an error is discovered in the calculations? What if there is not enough grace to cover all my sins? What if this structure collapses under the pressure of trials? What if my love and friendship are cut off? Where will I go then? What if the Holy Spirit is not poured into my life? Whom will I turn to then? And why should I believe that all this is available to me? Everyone around me lives an ordinary life, and our daily routine is arranged well enough. Why change anything? After all, if I set out on the path of love, I will have to walk it for the rest of my life, and I will have no time left for anything else—for my busyness, my ambitions, or my sins. Without these things, how will I ever make something of myself? People will laugh at me.
No, the opinions of those around me are still dearer to me than God’s plans for me. Building happiness requires constant effort and strength from above. But will God even be interested in these desires of mine?
I would rather continue living calmly and quietly passing my time. I am comfortable inside my shell, where I can shut myself away from everyone and dream that someday a ‘kind benefactor’ will move me into a new house, where life will be good—even very good. Beautiful people will surround me there. Everyone will be glad to see me. I will become quite famous. I could even write a book or make a movie about it. What wonderful prospects! All my neighbors will learn about my talent, and I will give autographs to anyone who wants one. Why should I take a risk? I will wait until happiness simply falls from Heaven into my lap.
But the Lord is waiting to give. The Ruler of Heaven and Earth stands waiting for my decision to be happy. And He is ready to do whatever is necessary for my happiness. Jesus makes it clear that He alone can teach me the very best things in life and give me the best that my soul longs for. He is waiting to enter. He is waiting to begin building my little house of happiness. He knows all my questions, and none of my doubts surprise Him. He has the best answer to every one of them.
And Jesus decided to become my Friend. He gives me His love and loves me at all times. He can do all things, but without me He will do nothing.
He knows all my dreams and vain plans. The Lord desires to tear them down and give me His future and His hope, fulfilling His plans in my life—plans for a beautiful future, plans for happiness, love, and friendship. And Christ sends me peace that surpasses my understanding, yet it is so real that I can feel it with my whole soul.
What will I decide? How will I live from now on? What will I pursue?
Should I begin building my little house of happiness, or should I wait until my friends have built theirs first, then compare the results, take all their mistakes into account, and only then begin?
Where can I find enough faith for all this?
And how much time do I have left? It seems as though I will never die, as though old age and illness were not made for me. Life must be enjoyed here and now, and after I am gone, let the flood come. Is this the right way to think?
Do you recognize the person I have described?
At the end of this reflection, I can add the following. Friends, if any of you decide to build your little house of happiness together with God, you will create a masterpiece beyond anything you have ever imagined. You will build a strong and beautiful structure that will withstand every trial and will not fall under any pressure. Love, happiness, and friendship are available to everyone, and God has them in great abundance. There is enough for all who take a step of faith, begin to ask—and receive.
I am one of those who decided to try and put God to the test. And it worked. I am happy—very happy indeed. I love, and it is wonderful. I believe that the gifts of Heaven are available to me, and I receive them. And I know that everyone who sets out on this path will gain far more than expected. Dare to ask for much, and God will answer. He loves us; He loves to give; and He has a very great deal to give.
Always remember that my happiness is Heaven’s plan for the last days. I need only enter into that plan and do what the Lord reveals to me.
What do you think: if you plunge headfirst into the ocean, will you get wet? I think everyone answered, ‘Yes.’ But if you plunge headfirst into God’s happiness, will you remain unhappy? Now that is something people may wish to debate...
Bible verses for this chapter:
1 Corinthians 1:25–26; 3:10; Matthew 6:27; Luke 14:28–30; Hebrews 4:1; James 1:25; 1 Peter 4:15; John 10:16, 27–30