Preparing for the Journey

Here's the article I wrote for October's Newsletter. I posted it here for discussions or comments.

“And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.” – 2 Corinthians 3:18

Journey: Greek, Apodemeo: to go away into foreign parts, go abroad.

       There have been some recent studies* that have attempted to understand what makes people happy. Certainly, happiness is a basic human desire and most of us want happiness for ourselves and our loved ones.
       To summarize the findings of these studies, they have found that happiness generally results from:

1. Intimate (face-to-face) relationships with family and friends;
2. Meaningful work
3. Positive thinking; avoiding comparing oneself with others and tending to expect the best;
4. Gratitude;
5. Forgiveness;
6. Giving to others;
7. Religion;
8. Personal freedom;
9. Good health;
10. Watching TV (not excessive, but a little is not only harmless, but may be good for us).

       As I read this list and similar lists like it, I can’t help but be struck by the way by which our society and culture often seems to interfere with these basic means of achieving happiness. Indeed, as you look down this list of ‘happiness-producing’ characteristics, it may strike you, too, that our world often drives us toward quite contradictory attitudes or activities. No wonder that Jesus said that while his disciples are in the world, we are advised to be no part of it. (John 17:9-23).
       Perhaps one way to think of what Jesus meant when he said that we are “no part of the world,” is that his disciples should be cautious of those things, while they may be enticing, may actually interfere with finding true happiness (John 10:10, re: the abundant life). Instead, through understanding God’s will for us and for the whole of creation, we can be wary of attempts to pull us away from experiencing deep levels of happiness, contentment and meaning in life.
       In some ways, living as a disciple of Jesus Christ is much like taking a journey to a distant land. This doesn’t mean some kind of a physical move to some new land, but it is about living in a new way, with new attitudes and engagements. It is to learn that loving God, ourselves, and others is the underlying basis for fulfillment in our lives and then to begin living that way.
       Some time ago, we began an approach in church of intentionally considering our own lives as spiritual journeys. In the coming weeks you will hear of ways in which you can further pursue your own spiritual journey. We are all called to the work of individual and community transformation of ourselves so as to reflect the glory of our Lord, finding real happiness and joy in our lives.

*Contact me if you'd like links to the source material I used