Message In Stanza

We can experience Heaven on Earth. In Heaven you can just multiply the joy a million times from what we experience on Earth to grasp the actual feelings of Heaven. And even though we live in a broken world, joy is not in short supply if we look for it. It’s more than the joys of rollercoasters or smiles of babies. It’s an innate deposit in our souls.

It’s in our nature to crave love. But it’s our decision to choose love or not. Call me an optimistic but the only successful way to avoid pain, conflict, strife is to choose to be happy no matter the circumstances. Philippines 4:10-13 says: “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV.)

Hellen Keller put it this way, “Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.” I find my most trying times are my most successful times in the end. I learned immensely from my mistakes.

I remember a time when I would play sports and one time I was close to winning the final game but our team just couldn’t get the last basket. The other team got a basket in at the last minute during overtime. I refused to give my opponents high fives. I was a sore loser at the time. It wasn’t easy but I learned that everybody has their moments of glory and you should congratulate others more even if you don’t win. It was a humbling experience to be grateful no matter what the circumstances were. I am alive, right?

Winning is such a small thing in comparison to being alive and breathing. Another time I remember leading a newspaper committee in high school and all the members wanted to change the name of the newspaper. I refused to change the name saying, “It’s fine the way it is, don’t we have more important matters to deal with?” I found by not listening to my members I was alienating their wishes and making them feel like their opinions didn’t matter. I was a stubborn person (still am at times) but my willingness to let go of my wants and listening to others more taught and molded me overtime into a more compassionate and understanding person. Becoming that whole new person taught me most of all, joy.

It wasn’t an easy road and I still have a lot to learn in that department but I am pleased with the progress I have made so far. I believe in Heaven we will still have a lot to learn but we will be a lot more mature because of what we lived from this Earth, so the joy will be magnified. But the joy we experience now I believe is helping each other get to that state of maturity.

What are your thoughts?