Nilikulia katika nyumba isiyomwamini Mungu, na nilisikia kuhusu Kristo kwa mara ya kwanza nikiwa kijana. Mwanzoni, masimulizi ya Biblia hayakuonekana kuwa ya kweli zaidi ya masimulizi na vichekesho vya Kigiriki nilivyovipenda. Kisha nikasoma Injili, na kuamini kwamba Yesu alikuwa halisi, na mashujaa wa kwenye masimulizi wakaonekana vivuli vyake tu. Yesu aliponiokoa, nilipata furaha kubwa ambayo sikuwahi kuijua, na sijawahi kuondokana nayo. Furaha yangu ya dhati ilikuwa matokeo ya kuzaliwa mara ya pili, kusamehewa, na Roho wa Mungu kukaa ndani yangu. "Heri aliyesamehewa dhambi, Na kusitiriwa makosa yake." (Zaburi 32:1).
"Furaha hii ya wokovu wako" (Zaburi 51:12) ilikuwa tofauti kabisa na utupu niliohisi kabla ya kusikia "habari njema ya mambo mema" (Isaya 52:7), pia inaitwa "habari njema ya furaha kuu" (Luka 2:10).
Sikuwahi kuchukulia yale niliyoacha ili kumfuata Kristo kuwa ni kujikana nafsi, hasa kwa sababu hayakuwa yamenipatia furaha. Yesu sasa alikuwa ni kila kitu kwangu. Sikuwa najaribu kuwa na furaha; yaani nilikuwa na furaha.
Mwenye Huzuni, Lakini Mwenye Furaha Daima
Si kila mtu anayekuja kwa Kristo anapata ongezeko kubwa la furaha. Wengi wanapata, lakini hata wengi wa hao wanaona furaha yao inapungua polepole kadiri muda unavyokwenda.
Mpaka Kristo atakapoponya ulimwengu huu, furaha yetu katika Kristo itakuwa na vipindi vya huzuni. Lakini kwa namna fulani furaha ya kudumu inawezekana hata katika mateso. Wakristo "wana huzuni, lakini wanafurahi daima" (2 Wakorintho 6:10).
Miaka michache iliyopita rafiki mpendwa alijitoa uhai na nililia zaidi kuliko nilivyowahi kulia kwa miaka mingi. Wakati fulani, mimi na Nanci tulisogeleana karibu na kuomboleza pamoja na mjane wake. Kisha sauti ya gitaa na ngoma ililipuka bila kuelezeka huku mtu akiimba "Cheza na Piga Kelele." Tukiwa tumeshtuka na kutokwa macho, sisi watatu tulianza kucheka bila kujizuia kutokana na mshituko huo.
Wakati huo ulikuwa zawadi, kicheko kililainisha mioyo yetu mizito. Nyakati zaidi kama hizo zilikuja tena katika siku tatu zilizofuata ambazo zilijumuisha kando ya makaburi ya kutisha na ibada ya kumbukumbu iliyojaa tumaini. Uso mkali wa kifo haukushinda, kwani familia ilimwabudu Mungu mkuu, mwenye upendo, mwenye furaha ambaye alitupa furaha ndogo na kubwa katikati ya huzuni ya kuvunja moyo. Yesu alisema, "Heri ninyi mliao sasa, kwa sababu mtacheka" (Luka 6:21, Phillips). Kicheko tulichoahidiwa mbinguni wakati mwingine hulipuka wakati huu, kionjo cha ukaribisho cha furaha isiyokoma inayotungojea.
Fikra Chanya na Furaha Kamili
Kupata furaha ya kila siku katika Kristo si mawazo ya kufikirika. Inatokana na ukweli thabiti kwamba: Mungu alitupatia furaha yetu ya milele kupitia msalaba na ufufuo. Anakaa ndani yetu, na anatuombea. Hakuna kitu kinachotutenganisha na upendo wake. Na anatuambia "furahi na kushangilia; kwa kuwa BWANA ametenda mambo makuu." (Yoeli 2:21).
"Fikra chanya" inasema tunaweza kuwa na furaha kwa kupuuza mambo hasi (kama vile dhambi, mateso, na kuzimu). Siamini hilo. Wala sikumbatii injili ya mafanikio ya kumwomba Mungu kama jini, Injili ya sema ni kitu gani kisha kidai, ambayo inaahidi furaha kupitia afya, utajiri, na mafanikio.
Tunapaswa kushukuru Mungu anapotupatia afya, riziki, na mambo ya kushitukiza ya kupendeza. Lakini ni jambo moja kuwa na furaha pale mambo kama hayo yanapotokea, na ni jambo jingine kuamini kwamba Mungu ametuangusha yasipotokea.
Mifano yetu haipaswi kuwa wahubiri wa mafanikio waliopambwa na vito, bali watumishi waliojikita katika Yesu. Watumishi kama vile mmishenari Amy Carmichael (1867–1951), ambaye alipeleka injili kwa watoto wengi aliowaokoa kutoka kwenye ukahaba wa mahekaluni nchini India. Alipata mateso mengi ya kimwili na hakuwa na mapumziko ya kazi ndani ya miaka hamsini na tano. Lakini aliandika, "Hakuna kitu cha kutatanisha na cha kutia shaka kuhusu [maisha]. Yamekusudiwa kuwa ya furaha daima.... Tumeitwa kuwa na furaha thabiti katika Bwana ambaye furaha yake ni nguvu zetu ” (Frank Houghton, Amy Carmichael).
Kuna furaha ya ubinafsi na ya juujuu, kama vile ambavyo kuna upendo na amani yenye ubinafsi na ya juujuu. Lakini bado tunatumia maneno hayo, ingawa ulimwengu unatoa yaliyo ya bandia. Hatuthubutu kudharau furaha inayotokana na Kristo kwa sababu tu kuna furaha ya ubinafsi!
Furaha Kubwa Kuliko Matatizo
Shauku ya kutafuta furaha imeanza zamani katika bustani ya Edeni. Kiu ya watu ya kuwa na furaha inasalia. Utamaduni wetu umeghubikwa na ongezeko la msongo wa mawazo na kiwewe hasi miongoni mwa vijana. Tafiti zinaonyesha watu wengi wanajisikia vibaya zaidi kuliko kujisikia vizuri baada ya kutumia mitandao ya kijamii; picha za watu wengine wakifurahia maisha huwafanya wengine wahisi kuwa wameachwa nyuma au wamekuwa duni.
Utafiti unaonyesha kuna "uhusiano mdogo kati ya hali za maisha ya watu na jinsi walivyo na furaha" (Happiness Is a Serious Problem, 115). Lakini watu wanapoulizwa "Kwa nini hamna furaha?" wanaangalia matatizo. Katika ulimwengu wetu ulioanguka, matatizo hayataisha. Watu wenye furaha huangalia zaidi ya matatizo yao na kumwangalia Yule ambaye neema yake huleta nuru kwenye giza na tabasamu kwenye nyuso zetu katika nyakati zisizotarajiwa.
Wakristo wengi wanaishi katika huzuni, hasira, wasiwasi, au upweke, wakidhani hisia hizi haziepukiki kwa sababu ya matatizo yao. Wanapoteza furaha kwa sababu ya msongamano wa magari, matatizo ya Wi-Fi, au kupanda kwa bei ya mafuta. Wanakosa sababu za kuwa na furaha zilizoonyeshwa karibu katika kila ukurasa wa Maandiko.
Tutajazwa Furaha Mbinguni
A.W. Tozer aliandika, “Watu wa Mungu wanapaswa kuwa watu wenye furaha zaidi katika ulimwengu wote! Watu wanapaswa kuwa wanakuja kwetu kila wakati na kuuliza chanzo cha furaha yetu ” (Who Put Jesus on the Cross?).
"Furaha ya kina" ya Amy Carmichael inawezekana licha ya matatizo ya maisha. Furaha nyingi na ya kudumu, furaha hii ni yetu leo, kwa sababu Kristo yuko hapa; ni yetu kesho kwa sababu Kristo atakuwa pale; na ni yetu milele, kwa sababu hatatuacha kamwe.
Siku bado haijafika ambapo Mungu "atafuta kila chozi katika macho yao" (Ufunuo 21:4). Lakini itafika. Ahadi ya Kristo iliyonunuliwa kwa damu ina athari kubwa kwenye furaha yetu ya sasa. Yesu alitoa kauli hii ya kushangaza: "Heri wenye huzuni; Maana hao watafarijika!" (Mathayo 5:4, GNT). Furaha ya sasa inatokana na ahadi ya faraja katika siku zijazo. Mtazamo wa milele wa watoto wa Mungu unawajulisha kuhusu furaha ya kweli na ya mwisho wanayoweza kutarajia sasa (angalia Zaburi 16:11; 21:6; 36:7–10; 37:16; 43:4; 73:28; Yohana 10:10).
Kwa nini usitangulize mbele furaha za milele katika wakati wa sasa? Je, hatuwezi kupata furaha sasa katika kutarajia mahafali, harusi, safari, kuungana tena, au likizo katika siku zijazo? Kwa hivyo hatupaswi kupata raha kubwa zaidi katika kutarajia siku ambayo Mungu atakomesha kifo milele (Isaya 25:8), kubadilisha laana kabisa (Ufunuo 22:3), na kutuunganisha na Mwokozi wetu na familia ya milele?
Tukiitumainia neema yake, hebu tuingie katika furaha ya Bwana wetu leo kwa kutafakari na kushiriki ahadi yake kwamba tutauona uso Wake katika ulimwengu mpya na wenye kuvutia, ambapo furaha itakuwa hewa tunayoipumua.
Breathe in the Happiness of Heaven
I grew up in an unbelieving home, and first heard about Christ as a teenager. Initially, Bible stories seemed no more true than the Greek mythology and comics I loved. Then I read the Gospels, and believed that Jesus was real, and then superheroes became mere shadows of Him. When Jesus rescued me, I experienced a profound happiness I’d never known, and have never gotten over. My heartfelt gladness was the result of being born again, forgiven, and indwelt by God’s Spirit. “Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1, NRSV).
This “joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12) contrasted starkly with the emptiness I’d felt before hearing the “good news of happiness” (Isaiah 52:7), also called the “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
I never considered what I gave up to follow Christ as sacrifices — mainly because they hadn’t brought me happiness. Jesus now meant everything to me. I wasn’t trying to be happy; I simply was happy.
Sorrowful, Yet Always Rejoicing
Not everyone who comes to Christ experiences such a dramatic increase in happiness. Plenty do, but even many of those see their happiness gradually fade over time.
Until Christ cures this world, our happiness in Christ will be punctuated by sorrow. Yet somehow an abiding joy is possible even in suffering. Christians are “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10).
A few years ago a dear friend took his life and I wept more than I have in years. One moment, Nanci and I were huddled close and sobbing with his widow. Then inexplicably guitar and drums exploded while someone sang “Twist and Shout.” Shocked and wide-eyed, the three of us started laughing uncontrollably at the startling incongruity.
That moment was a gift, laughter lifting our heavy hearts. More such moments came over the next three days that included the dreaded graveside and hope-filled memorial service. Death’s grim face did not prevail, as the family worshiped a sovereign, loving, happy God who gave us joys both small and great in the midst of heartbreaking sorrow. Jesus said, “How happy are you who weep now, for you are going to laugh!” (Luke 6:21, Phillips). The laughter promised us in Heaven sometimes erupts in the present, a welcome foretaste of the unending happiness awaiting us.
Positive Thinking and Pure Joy
Experiencing daily happiness in Christ isn’t wishful thinking. It’s based on solid facts: God secured our eternal happiness through the cross and resurrection. He dwells within us, and He intercedes for us. Nothing separates us from His love. And He tells us “Be happy and full of joy, because the Lord has done a wonderful thing” (Joel 2:21, NCV).
“Positive thinking” says we can be happy by ignoring the negative (such as sin, suffering, and hell). I don’t believe that. Nor do I embrace the God-as-genie, name-it-and-claim-it prosperity gospel, which promises happiness through health, wealth, and success.
We should be grateful when God grants us health, provisions, and delightful surprises. But it’s one thing to be happy when such things occur, and another to believe God has failed us when they don’t.
Our models shouldn’t be jewelry-laden prosperity preachers, but Jesus-centered servants. Servants such as missionary Amy Carmichael (1867–1951), who brought the gospel to countless children she rescued from temple prostitution in India. She experienced much physical suffering and didn’t have a furlough in fifty-five years. Yet she wrote, “There is nothing dreary and doubtful about [life]. It is meant to be continually joyful. . . . We are called to a settled happiness in the Lord whose joy is our strength” (Frank Houghton, Amy Carmichael).
There’s selfish and superficial happiness, just like there’s selfish and superficial love and peace. But we still use those words, even though the world sells cheap imitations. We dare not belittle Christ-focused happiness just because there is self-centered happiness!
A Joy Bigger Than Circumstances
The quest to be happy is as ancient as Eden. People’s thirst for happiness remains. Our culture is characterized by increasing depression and anxiety, particularly among youth. Studies show more people feel bad than good after using social media; photos of others having good times leave observers feeling left out and inferior.
Research indicates there’s “little correlation between the circumstances of people’s lives and how happy they are” (Happiness Is a Serious Problem, 115). Yet when people are asked “Why aren’t you happy?” they focus on circumstances. In our fallen world, troubles are constant. Happy people look beyond their difficult circumstances to Someone whose grace brings light to the darkness and smiles to our faces in the most unlikely moments.
Many Christians live in sadness, anger, anxiety, or loneliness, thinking these feelings are inevitable given their circumstances. They lose joy over traffic jams, wifi issues, or rising gas prices. They miss the reasons for happiness expressed on nearly every page of Scripture.
We Will Breathe Happiness in Heaven
A.W. Tozer wrote, “The people of God ought to be the happiest people in all the wide world! People should be coming to us constantly and asking the source of our joy and delight” (Who Put Jesus on the Cross?).
Amy Carmichael’s “settled happiness” is possible despite life’s difficulties. Rich and durable, this happiness is ours today, because Christ is here; it’s ours tomorrow because Christ will be there; and it’s ours forever, because He’ll never leave us.
The day hasn’t yet come when God will “wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 21:4). But it will. Christ’s blood-bought promise has breathtaking implications for our present happiness. Jesus made this startling statement: “Happy are those who mourn; [for] God will comfort them!” (Matthew 5:4, GNT). Present happiness is derived from the promise of future comfort. The eternal perspective of God’s children informs them of a true and ultimate happiness they can anticipate now (see Psalm 16:11; 21:6; 36:7–10; 37:16; 43:4; 73:28; John 10:10).
Why not frontload eternity’s joys into the present? Don’t we find current happiness in anticipating an upcoming graduation, wedding, visit, reunion, or vacation? So shouldn’t we find even greater pleasure in anticipating the day when God will swallow up death forever (Isaiah 25:8), permanently reverse the curse (Revelation 22:3), and unite us with our Savior and eternal family?
Calling upon His grace, let’s enter into our Master’s happiness today by contemplating and sharing His promise that we’ll behold His face in a new and captivating world, where joy will be the air we breathe.
