Happiness is gradually becoming a scarce commodity in our changing world because the world is growing in culture of selfishness, wickedness, and greed. The more we yearn to 'miss the mark' and not to do the needful, the more the distance created between us, our neighbours, and happiness of life. Many are in bondage today!!! According to Fr. Pichappilly, "Many of us hang on to things so tightly that we imprison ourselves. We hold on to old things and ideas...
To move forward in life, sometimes, we just have to let go...and move ahead with confidence and faith". Their freedom lies only in the hands of God their Creator and their own little efforts. Our culture of life is to live freely as children of the father. Let not your culture, traditions and laws enslave you again. Jesus is here to set us free indeed this season of hope.
Zig Ziglar wrote, "The foundation stones for balanced success are: honesty, character, integrity, faith, love and loyalty". Are these qualities present in you? People today move around the streets, but with invisible chains holding back their happiness.
What is the chain holding you down? Set yourself free by trusting in the giver of true love and life! True happiness does not come from wealth, positions, and power, but from God who is the true life giver! If you have been going the wrong direction, make a U-turn. Note: Don't get tired of waiting on the Lord.
Don't get tired of praying for inner freedom. Don't get tired of hoping in His power of love to set you free indeed! Sing: "Iwo ni mo gbokan mi soke si Oluwa...Oluwa je ki n mo ona re...". This advent is the season to long for His coming, which brings with it assured inner peace, freedom and happiness.
Prophet Baruch tells us in 5:1ff, "Jerusalem (Nigeria), take off your dress of sorrow and distress, put on the beauty of the Glory of God, wrap the cloak of the integrity of God around you...that you may get peace through integrity, and honour through devotedness". Sing: "It's not by power, not by might, but by my Spirit says the Lord...This mountain shall be removed..."/ "O seun titun laye mi ko dawo duro, anu ni mo rigba..."
Dear friend, God wants to make your life smooth and blessed again with everlasting happiness. God wants to return you to freedom and gladness, if only you would listen to His voice, be prayerful and patient. He will pull down the walls of hatred, sickness, failure, childlessness, and joblessness deep rooted in you if only you follow Him closely on the road to happy living. God has decreed the flattening of each high mountain and everlasting hills, and the filling of the valleys to make the grounds level for your goodness/happiness.
Ps. 126 tells us, "When the Lord delivered Zion (Nigeria) from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs...those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap". Your freedom is close at hand - your happiness is near! Sing: "O seun laye mi o Baba...Jesu seun laye mi o jare" / "A ope lo ye, Baba o, mo wa laye mo wa laye, a ope lo ye!"
When He comes, things will begin to change for your good. Integrity is His cloth and faithfulness the belt round His hips. The long awaited change and beauty in your life in here. Make the best use of this Advent Season.
Listen to the voice deep within saying: "Prepare a way for the Lord, make straight his path" to true freedom and happiness. Don't ever live your life backward - 'Face where you are going, and go where you are facing'. Remember, "In His days justice shall flourish and peace till the moon fails" (Ps.72:7)
Finally, let us begin a new culture of love, charity, respect, hope and faith in the one who called us to the path of true happiness. Let this new
culture of life begin with you and your home.
Baruch 4:28 says, "As by your will, you first strayed away from God, so now turn back and search for him 10 times as hard". Do the best you can and leave the rest to God. Just trust Him much not man.
"Many are called, but I am chosen." He never disappoints.
God bless you all
Fr. Balogun Stephen
