HAPPY PLACE

 

I read in an article that the Sustainable Development Solutions Network produces the World Happiness Report. They take a survey ranking the happiest places to live based on over 150 countries. They factor in 6 key factors contributing to a persons wellbeing: 1) income, 2) freedom, 3) trust, 4) generosity, 5) healthy life, 6) support from communities. A team of secular experts (economists, psychologists, statisticians & others) create the list. A noticeable absence are anyone with a spiritual or religious affiliation.

Another list of Happiest cities in America:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California

2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California

3. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, D.C., Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia

4. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts and New Hampshire

"Now, I live in a rural county , I couldn't see myself living in any of the top 4 happiest places. I guess I'll just stay unhappy where I'm at."

Isaiah 32:18 Amplified Bible

Then my people will live in a peaceful surrounding, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places. (this references when the Lord rules)

I want you all to close your eyes and think of a place that is very special to you. Maybe a secret place or maybe a place shared with family and friends, a place where you feel 100% comfortable, a place where you can be you, a place where you don't have to play games and pretend you are something you aren’t.

Can you see yourself there? Just relax and enjoy it for the next couple of moments.

How many of you pictured a place that was peaceful?

        How many of you pictured an urban place?

How many of you pictured a place outdoors?

How many of you pictured a place from your youth?

Peaceful Places usually come with Contentment & Familiarity. 

Galatians 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious (worried, to be anxious about) for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;

7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding (peace the world does not – can not understand), will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

How do you combat anxiousness, worry, by praying, by supplicating (the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly. Oxford Languages and Google) and being thankful.

You cannot ask, beg earnestly and humbly without being convinced that you are asking and thanking something or someone who exists and who can actually help you. Someone you know, who you are familiar with.

What do you mean the world 

DOES NOT & CAN NOT UNDERSTAND 

this kind of peace?

What do we worry about? Mostly, things we can't do anything about. Things that occur or we imagine can occur that we can do nothing about. The world (by world I mean those who have no faith in God) trusts in humankind to take care of the stuff they can't do anything about. 

That's why our culture obsesses about determining blame for everything that happens. There is nothing outside of what we can empirically experience and therefore, human ingenuity, science or some other human or natural solution must exist. We just haven't found it yet.

But what about the diagnosis that has no treatment. The unexpected or sudden loss of a loved one. How does science answer those questions. It can't, it's outside of their element.  

As followers of Christ we believe in Colossians 1, that Christ holds all things in His hands and will work all things for our good if we love Him and are led by the Holy Spirit Romans 8:28. Therefore we have someone we can ask, beg earnestly and humbly when things are out of control. We have peace because we have faith. The world cannot experience the peace, because they have no faith.

 Meditate on These Things 

(FILL YOUR MIND WITH THIS, TURN OFF THE TV)

8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true (NOT TV), whatever things are noble (KIND, CONSIDERATE, CARING), whatever things are just (FAIR) , whatever things are pure (HOLY, CHASTE, WHOLESOME), whatever things are lovely (BEAUTIFUL, UNDEFILED), whatever things are of good report (GRACEFUL, THINKING THE BEST, EMPATHETIC) , if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Fill you mind with these things. Leave no room for filth and garbage. Guard your heart and mind. The word for guard is a military word, it means to stand sentry. This is an active thing. 

You must be diligent and do it.

9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity.

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased (really, really poor downtrodden), and I know how to abound (having abundance). Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

It makes no difference where we are or what we have or don’t have. Contentment is based on what we expect. Paul wrote this letter from a prison, yet he was free’r than most who read his words.

We quote Phil. 4:13 in reference to things we can accomplish with God. Paul wrote Phil. 4:13 claiming peace and contentment in spite of his wealth or want, in spite of his success or failures, in spite of living in a castle of in a tenement on the south side of Chicago.

Our safe place is in an unchanging, never leaving, always available God, who loves us and knows us better that anyone loves or knows us and that includes ourselves.

Recline as the beloved apostle did (John) upon our Lord’s chest.