Happy is a Yuppie Word

In a 1991 interview covering the occasion of his 50th birthday, singer-songwriter and cosmic "weirdo" Bob Dylan gave an interesting response to a Rolling Stone journalist who asked if the aging legend was happy. This was his response: "You know, these are yuppie words, happiness and unhappiness. It's not happy or unhappy, it's blessed or unblessed". Although this could be considered nothing more than a shot at the middle-class business community or just a case of the old fashioned Dylan-esque craziness, I believe that Mr. Tambourine Man himself might have been on to an idea that is rooted deep in scripture. (Before we move on it's important to understand that a "yuppie" is a 1980's term for a young up-and-coming business-type, focused purely on becoming successful.)

As Christians we often follow a misconception that is deeply rooted in our minds, that "God's main priority is that we be happy". However, when looking at the life and teachings of Jesus it becomes evident that God's priorities and our happiness often fall on opposite ends of the spectrum. As we spoke about on Sunday, God clearly would not want us happy if our happiness was gained by us sinning, but more stunning is that Jesus spoke that those who are in difficult situations were "more than happy?”

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.- Matthew 5:3-10

The word used by both Bob Dylan and Jesus, "blessed", simply means "more than happy". So, in these verses, Jesus clearly states that those who mourn, those who are insulted, and those who are overly submissive are more than happy. The crazy thought that Christ followers must live by, is that when our circumstances feel hopeless or we feel alone and persecuted or we feel trampled on, we are to consider ourselves more than happy because we have a hope that runs underneath all of this. When we are broken and defeated God comforts us in a way we would never feel if we weren't broken. When we are persecuted for pursuing righteousness, we grow closer to becoming like Christ. When we feel like we are being taken advantage of to the point of being empty, we can rest in the loving arms of our Father. For those of us who are Christians, happiness is not our ultimate goal or God's ultimate priority, but God does want to bless us. God wants to make us "more than happy", because after all "Happy is a Yuppie Word".

Explore
Meditate on the Beatitudes stated in Matthew 5:3-10.

Pray
That God your hope will not rest in the temporary things of Earth, but in the salvation of Jesus Christ.

Homework
(Prepare an answer for group this Sunday)
According to what Jesus said in Matthew 7:1-5, is it wrong to judge others? Why?