Christianity is not as simple as we would have it be.
We want to reduce it to formulas and three-step plans, because within those parameters, we can understand it, and, especially, we can use it.
Being a Christian isn’t easy; it’s hard to understand, and I don’t think it’s very useful. When I say useful, I mean that believing in God will not make life easy for us—our faith isn’t handy like one of those universal wrenches you can buy at Sears. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.
Think about the apostles. Their lives were the antithesis of easy. Here’s Paul’s list of pains he took for the gospel’s sake:
Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep.
I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. —2 Corinthians 11:23-27
These are just Paul’s struggles. James was beheaded. Peter was crucified. John died in exile. In fact, each of the apostles suffered the loss of all things for the sake of Christ.
Yet we expect something different. We are consumed with prayers for blessings, usually financial or physical. We refuse to be sick and poor, and we demand God keep us healthy and wealthy. If He really loves us, then He’ll keep us happy.
Happiness isn’t a bad thing, neither is health or wealth. I’ve read a myriad of scriptures that described the Lord’s will for his servants, and they speak of good things, of happy things. The desire for such is not wrong. However, the passion for a happy life has consumed our spirituality to the point that we forget how this story ends.
Our hope is not in wealth or a long, healthy life. Our hope is where we will be with Him—our citizenship is in heaven.
I think the greatest achievement (and so did Paul) is contentment. What I’ve had to learn is that contentment is not synonymous with happiness, but we’ll never find happiness without contentment.
