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It has been noted that the hardest month of the year for many people is February. This is the month when people tire of the cold of winter. It is also the time when some of the expenses of Christmas become past due for those who live on credit. Because the vast majority of American adults are not passionately in love, Valentine's Day becomes salt in the wound. The good news of February is that it is only 28 days long.
A Christian world view and lifestyle can clearly lift us above the depressing associations of the month of February. To believe that our heavenly Father is sovereign over issues of weather, money and love is of great encouragement to the believer.
To start each day singing "This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) is a great way to brighten a dark winter day.
This week I have been preparing a sermon for another church from John 10:10 which says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." In the next verse, Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd." The good news of the Christian faith is that Jesus promises to shepherd us through life in such a way that we "have life, and have it to the full." If that does not lift the Christian from the winter blues, I do not know what will.
In theory, all Christians should be generally happy. Statistically, practicing Christians are happier than the general public according to a recent "Time" magazine article. But we all know the life of faith is not just a series of pleasurable events.
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It helps me to define happiness with the biblical idea of Shalom. On 25 occasions in the Old Testament, Shalom is used as a greeting or farewell. Shalom carries the idea of peace, prosperity, wellness, health, completeness and safety. How can one be depressed when experiencing Shalom?
The Christian life of obedience is a life where we experience Jesus as our shepherd and as we follow the teachings of God's Word, Shalom follows.
A few weeks ago we said our earthly farewell to one of our members as Rod Benoit went home to be with the Lord. I felt close to Rod and it was emotionally difficult to see him dying and then speak at his funeral. Through this time, my emotions did not lead to happiness or depression, but there was a profound sense of Shalom. Rod faced death with peace, Adele was strong through the presence of Christ and there were plenty of tears, laughter, and meaningful conversation.
Shalom is never a product of half-hearted faith. To have a half-faith is to set oneself up to be a slave to circumstances. Some have even argued that the part-time Christian is less happy than the committed believer and even the nonreligious person. Experiencing Jesus, the good shepherd, happens when we yield ourselves to his care.
My prayer for you and your loved ones is that God would give you a joyous and blessed month of February. May your faith in Christ and your connection to the community of faith encourage you even on days when things seem to go wrong. Shalom!
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