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Allegiances

Plants grow in the direction of the sun. They aren't doing this consciously, but are genetically purposed to seek the thing that sustains them. Roots, too, grow deeper to find water when none is found shallow. Can't the same be said for us?

Nietzsche said as much in his famous sentence, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger." For the Christian, one's faith in God grows deeper when faced with hardship, because we look to him for comfort where there is none amid our own resources. I heard a sermon yesterday by a New York pastor named Tim Keller, whose message dealt with happiness. He highlighted Psalm One, which reads,

1 Blessed is the one
who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
or sit in the company of mockers,
2 but whose delight is in the law of the LORD,
and who meditates on his law day and night.
3 That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
whatever they do prospers.

4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

Keller observed that-- like other trees-- this "tree planted by streams of water" experiences the "seasons" of plenty and of want. The difference between this tree-- the "one who delights in the law of the Lord"-- and others is that it remains nourished during those times of difficulty. The joy in Christianity is not a superficial happiness based on circumstances, but a "fundamental" happiness that comes from the pursuit of God's kingdom: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well [meaning he will meet earthly needs as well as spiritual needs]." From what I've heard and read (Keller, http://dawningrealm.org/kingdom/, and other sources), pursuing God's kingdom means "shifting allegiances" from yourself-- a life devoted to making yourself happy by chasing other things-- to Christ, by obeying his commands as a first priority (pursuing God's righteousness, sharing your faith, being generous, and more).*

*This last point is a summary of what I've read and heard, but I haven't done it justice (there are important points left out that I can't summarize without confusing more than helping). If you want to hear more, download the Keller sermon "The Pursuit of Happiness" free from iTunes; or read for yourself from the aforementioned site or from other relevant sources. If anything, this post will hopefully get you thinking about how we are to live and what that will mean for our lives both here and after. It can only be seen as a starting point.

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