For $299 a month, you can lease exhilaration

Our world in general and perhaps you also are longing to find happiness.
People write books about how to find it; they make movies that are suppose
to make us feel happy. People go to counselors to help them find happiness.
We are willing to do almost anything if it will help us feel happy about our
life.

This fact hasn't been overlooked by big business. A while back in USA Today
there was an advertisement for BMW automobiles. Notice what add said:
"Needless to say, you can't buy happiness. But for a mere $299 a month, you
can lease exhilaration. Simply visit your authorized BMW dealer and lease a
new BMW." The add went on to tell the readers how great their BMW was and
then ended with these thoughts: "For a program of spiritual uplift on easy
monthly terms, we recommend you visit a participating BMW dealer."

That's the world's view of happiness. It's not right at all, but I thought
the one phrase was kind of catchy, "a program of spiritual uplift on easy
monthly terms." God's terms are easy and they do bring us happiness. Our
spiritual uplift comes by meeting "daily" terms, commitment, or relationship
to God. Isn't "spiritual uplift" another way of saying, "happiness"?

The world says, "Having things is the way to happiness," but what does Jesus
say? Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you,
because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."
(Matthew 11:28-30, NLT)

Think about the stories of the prodigal son in Luke 15 or the rich man and
Lazarus in Luke 16. What are the lessons they teach? Isn't it that money or
things can't buy "spiritual uplift"! Of course it is!

In our world we are told that we will be happy when we have one more
material thing, one more pay raise, promotions or problem solved. God's word
tells us just the opposite. Take a few minutes and read the beatitudes once
again from Matthew 5:1-12. Happiness is not in things, it is in having the
right relationship to God and the right attitudes about life!

So, how is your "Spiritual Uplift"? Hopefully it is working well because you
have a connection to the right source!

Russ Lawson