In his famous book, The Power of Positive Thinking, Norman Vincent Peale shares a conversation he had with a couple over dinner. The woman with an expensive dress seemed to be having an unhappy time with herself. She said, “The service is bad and the food is terrible.” In contrast, her husband was easy-going and happy. During dinner, Norman asked the man what business he is in, and he said, “I am a lawyer.” Then he added, “My wife is in the manufacturing business.” So Norman asked, “What does she manufacture?” The man replied, “Unhappiness, she manufactures her own unhappiness.
Who decides whether you shall be happy or unhappy? The answer is: You do! We manufacture our own happiness or unhappiness. How happy are you?
Happy New Year! As we begin another year, we hope, pray, and declare that this year will be a “happy” one. Happiness doesn’t mean the absence of trouble and struggles. Even in the wilderness of our lives, we can be happy, for God is with Us. Let’s have full trust in our God who will lead us in every step throughout the year.
As United Methodists, the month of January offers us the opportunity to make a new beginning by renewing our covenant with God. Wesley wrote a Covenant Prayer, #607 in our hymnal:
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed by thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low by thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things
to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine. So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven. Amen.
Through renewing our covenant with God, let us make our 2023 especially happy (“blessed”) with being the poor in spirit, the meek, the merciful, the pure in heart, and the peacemakers.
With you in Christ, Pastor Jacob