"Everyone Deserves To Be Happy"

"Well if they're happy then it's okay."

"As long as it makes them happy, I don't care"

"Everyone deserves to be happy."

A few months ago while Skyping with my best friend, and we got into a deep, warm and fuzzy, but also admitting our faults conversation, and Kaitlyn said something that I've not been able to let go of.  "This whole 'As long as they're happy they can do what they want' thing is dangerous." and if you actually think about it...She's right.   It's not always the right thing to do just because it makes us happy.  Using the "Well it makes me happy." is almost like trying to justify why, or convince yourself that it's okay just because you're happy.  But that is not the case.

It's so easy to fall into sin, and the majority of the time it feels good to sin.  We as humans, we crave the feeling we get while sinning, which is why the Bible tells us that daily we are going to have to fight the ways of the world, the temptations, and not give in.  Luke 9:23 tells us "And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." What does it mean to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily?  When Jesus took the cross and dragged it up the hill on His back, while wearing a crown of thorns, he hung there on that cross and paid for every wrong thing we will ever do.  So when we are told that in order to follow Jesus, we must take up our cross and deny ourselves, we are being asked to repent, to ask for forgiveness, and to recognize that we are nothing with out Christ.

There is a quote that I happened upon the other day that says "I refuse to entertain myself with the things that my God went to the cross for." it speaks so loudly, and has such a deep and true meaning behind it.  We often entertain ourselves with sinful choices, or actions, and we think nothing more than "Well it makes me happy."  but, what about God?  What about the man who wore that crown of thorns, hung on a cross, and still managed to say "Father forgive them." as He paid the price for MY sin.  What about that?

Happiness is important, but if your happiness if coming from things that break God's heart is it really worth it?