At one time
or another most of us have heard a variation of the philosophical insight, “Life
is 10% what happens and 90% of how you respond to it.” Out of that comes the
knowledge the only real part of our lives over which we have total control is
our attitudes. Nobody makes us happy. We decide to see something as a source of
happiness. No one can make us angry. We decide the action of someone else has
crossed one of our boundaries and we choose to let the anger flow.
A recent
meeting among our churches focused upon the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5:1-10.
Various speakers shared information on ministries that in some manner
represented one of the statements from this passage. The program provided more
than facts on logistics. Human needs with faces took on a reality often missed
in statistical reports.
Frank Stagg,
a 20th century Baptist New Testament scholar, pointed out the Greek
of the Beatitudes may be translated as “Oh, the happiness of” rather than
“blessed”. (The Broadman Bible Commentary) Since no verb exists in the Greek,
using a simple introductory phrase adequately translates the phrase. His use of
the word “happiness” emphasizes the impact of each beatitude as much if not
more than the qualities mentioned for each.
Happiness is
found in the results of the qualities put into practice, not the qualities
themselves. Blessings come from those qualities being lived out and
incorporated into daily lives. They are not ends unto themselves. Happiness is
not gained through being, but through doing and our attitude in the process.
As each
church representative shared how their family of faith was touching the lives
of people around them, the joy was obvious. An example was one church that had
grown a food pantry ministry into a major food distribution center working with
several hundred families and supported by local food banks and grocery stores.
The goal had not been to collect food. That was a method. The goal was to feed
people for whom the month extended longer that personal resources would last.
The happiness came with meeting the need.
Other
information shared during the service focused upon the plight of aids victims
in Africa where treatment and compassion can both be in short supply. No one
wants to be infected with HIV or see a family member agonize under its
destructive power. Yet happiness can be found by those who are poor in spirit
and will humble themselves through helping the outcasts of society. A display
pointed to the persecution of Christians in more than forty countries around
the world. Happiness can be found by those who will seek to support those who
remain faithful in their beliefs in spite of the threats of discrimination,
imprisonment, and death.
“Oh, the
happiness of” those who are poor in spirit, who mourn, who are meek, who hunger
and thirst for righteousness, who are merciful, who are pure in heart, who are
peacemakers, and who are persecuted for righteousness’s sake. Their happiness
does not come because of the needs they experience or see. The happiness comes
through the way they respond.
The
Beatitudes call us to respond to the needs of the world and find there the
happiness that is absent from what the world offers. Happiness comes through
giving, giving to others in their need and giving to God in faithful obedience.
Happiness is
often seen as a passing emotion, generated by the context of the moment. It
need not be. It can become the deep response of joy that is untouched by
external circumstances. That occurs when we decide “It is more blessed to give
that to receive”. (Acts 20:35) The happiness is greater when we place others
first. It is an attitude we choose.
