Whatever floats your boat

There are all these cliche’. One says if it floats your boat. Another tells you if it gets you where you want to go. How about if it makes you happy if can’t be that bad. How about all good people go to heaven? There are probably a thousand more. I think over all, people want a positive outcome. I understand why Mystics, Psychologists, and Psychics have cornered the market on making us feel good. Nike says just do it. McDonald's says you need a break today. Let’s face it, you deserve it, right?

            The best part is the business. They say you need a break today, but they just might also mention that break is at McDonald's. Just do it in Nike runners. Michael Jordan isn’t wearing Nike runners just because he loves them. No, he also loves the money he received for wearing them. He would equally love Reebok money. We do love being happy. The push for legal drugs and alcohol are so dear to many. Let’s pick off every restriction that Christianity built up against us. If Christian rules don’t float your boat, then why follow them?

            I am amazed at all the rhetoric these days against anything. And I mean anything. Political correctness was meant to be a good thing. If it offends then get rid of it. On paper that seems good. Yet, we have turned it into a torrent tornado. It destroys everything in its path and twists and turns the truth into something unrecognizable. What we have done is attempt to make all things good. Whatever floats your boat and makes you happy is good by me. Except one little caveat, it does not work that way in our brains. Unfortunately, what is good for one just might be terrible for another. They both don’t make all people happy.

            Recently I have been going to a church that promotes wellness. I really like the speaker, but there is a down side. He promotes wellness. He promotes being happy in God. The problem with that is God. Being a Christian is not about being happy. Oh, this society promotes joy, peace, and contentment. Wouldn’t you if it’s what all the people are seeking? Draw the mases in by what they want and desire. Tell them it’s what they have been truly seeking. It comes back around again to happiness.

            It’s not that God can’t deliver. It’s just that Christianity is built on the one who suffered. They say be Christ like. In a way, it’s be suffering like. To try and be holy in this world is nuts. First off what is Holy? I like the story of Peter getting out of the boat and walks on water. That is a neat trick. Yet during the storm he begins to sink. The cool part about walking on water dissipates as you begin to disappear into the water. The trouble with finding happiness is the sinking part. The life part.

            Peter is the one always trying to make things good. He says Jesus can’t die. He says he will always follow God. He believes a lot of things. In the end, we are Peter striving for happiness. Surely good things is all God wants to deliver like Santa. So here we stand looking for a floating boat. We are striving to be whole and content. If God is about suffering, then how can we promote joy and happiness within the Christian life?

            Well it comes back to wants. God does indeed believe we will find happiness within. The problem is we think that we are the happiness to find. Why do you think we search for our significance? Why do we love attention? These are not bad things. You should seek the best you. We should love ourselves. But we are made to suffer for others. We give time, hearts, and money to help those in need. It takes from us to give to others. To spend time with hurting people is life draining. Yet joy and happiness is discovered when people get well.

            Joy is found in floating another’s boat. Seeing people get where they want to go is super fun. Even we love to arrive. Why do you think kids ask are we there yet? If it makes you happy then that is awesome. Yet, be warned, it’s a drug. We are insatiable towards happiness. Diet and self-help books have made many a millionaire. It’s not because they are helping half as much as we consume happiness. Don’t desire suffering, but respect it. Suffering keeps you grounded in perspective on happiness. Being Christian is about enduring suffering and happiness. God wants us to find balance within those two things. If you find joy and happiness within a balanced life, then it can’t be that bad.

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