Matthew 24:45-51

“Happy are those servants whom the master finds fulfilling their responsibilities when he comes.” Mt 24:46, CEB.

It used to be bumper stickers, now it’s social media memes. Cute phrases that make one smile, or think, or even angry. “My Kid is an Honor Student at ___ school.” “Honk if you love Jesus!” “My other car is a Lamborghini” or the best one…

“Jesus is coming, look busy!”

Unfortunately I don’t think things work like this. It’s not about being busy at all, but being happy?

Maybe it’s appropriate on this day after St. Patrick’s Day to remember the quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

Jesus does want us to be happy, not with beer specifically, but when we live out our faith it does something within us. Doing good has a reciprocal affect on the heart and soul.

Years ago as a chaplain in a local hospital I was charged with visiting new admissions. I would introduce myself as one of the hospital chaplains, ask if there was a church or pastor we could contact for them, and just let them know they were not alone. It wasn’t a difficult job, but it had its challenges. Like one evening on my rounds I knocked and entered a room (the door was open). After introducing myself the man quickly responded, “You’re pumping a dry well here pastor.”

Now there were a couple of different options I could have taken. The easiest would be to say, “sorry I bothered you,” and walk out the door. Or the one I took which was to sit down in the chair next to the bed and strike up a conversation. It was a bold and risky move on my part. I was mostly expecting him to kick me out, but instead, we began a conversation that lasted more than 30 minutes. His demeanor changed and do did mine.

To be honest, being a chaplain was not something I really wanted to do, but it was part of my seminary training. What it taught me, though, was that living out the faith in practical ways, visiting the sick, showing compassion and mercy, being a blessing to others most often turns around and blesses us in return; helping others helped me. In faithfulness I find happiness!

“Praise the Lord! Those who honor the Lord, who adore God’s commandments, are truly happy!” (Psalm 112:1, CEB)

We don’t have to wait to be happy only when Jesus comes, we can be happy every day by simply doing the things Jesus taught us. That’s true happiness. - Chris