Crazy Happy 预览

HAPPINESS IS FOUND IN UNIQUE PLACES

Everyone wants to be happy. But are you ready (and willing) to be truly, crazy happy? (Not crazy in a negative way. But crazy in the sense that the happiness you truly want is found in surprising places). When you read Jesus’ Beatitudes from Matthew 5:3-12, you instantly realize that happiness or blessedness is found in unique places.

It’s important to note from the outset that they are called the “Beatitudes” and not the “Do-atitudes.” This is important. Because the crazy happy life is not something that we have to do. It’s actually a state of being that happens to us because of what Jesus has done. So I am not advocating that you do anything –– I’m actually advocating that you abide in what Jesus has already done for you. When that happens, a truly beautiful life unfolds.

This is also why the Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write about the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is not something that we do. It is what the Spirit does in us as we walk under his influence. The Spirit invites us to sink our roots deep in Jesus, to live in his glorious light, to allow the Word of God to nourish us…and then fruit blossoms.

You will notice there are nine individual Beatitudes and nine fruit of the Spirit. Do you think that is by chance? Not on your life! That’s why the Crazy Happy book puts these together to help us understand the nine surprising ways to live the truly beautiful life: the Crazy Happy life. The ticket to that begins with abiding in Jesus through time spent with him in his Word and in prayer.

Today, we want to pray about our lives. Are we abiding in Jesus? What do our current actions and reactions teach us about who we are? What kind of fruit is being born in our lives? No matter how we feel about our answers, remember that Jesus, himself, is inviting you to be transformed. Let’s pray that he transforms us in amazing ways!