Tag Archives: Pogo

Happy or not

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Are you happy? Really happy? Is the world full of sunshine and roses wherever you go? We all want to be happy, don’t we? Well, most of us anyway. Some folk seem to only be happy when they are not. Like the porcupine in Walt Kelly’s Pogo cartoon who commented, “I hope I roll over and poke myself!” Others say they want to be happy but fill their lives with anger and divisive words that negate real happiness.

 

For some, being happy is the ultimate goal in life. Some believe it’s their right to be happy. The Declaration of Independence proclaims we all should have the right to the pursuit of happiness. But being always happy does not seem to be the evidenced birthright of any of us. Still, we should have opportunity and encouragement to pursue happiness.

 

Maybe you’ve heard it said that you can’t really believe in Jesus and be unhappy; that the joy of the Lord wipes away all tears. Of course, God makes that particular promise in reference to our heavenly home where there will be no more tears, no more pain, no more sorrow. But for now, we endure all these things, some more than others.

 

And if we really look at the life of Jesus, we see he not only laughed with the children but also wept with compassion for others. He mourned. He grew weary. He felt real pain and for one brief moment, abandonment. If we ask God to see the world through his eyes, it might take the grin off our happy face. It’s like watching the Palm Sunday parade with everyone singing Hosanna to Jesus but seeing beyond that to the backdrop of his painful crucifixion. We should rejoice in the smiles of our children but seeing all children through God’s eyes creates a more somber view.

 

I know we all like to pick our favorite verses of encouragement. But the promises of joy are in the context of sorrow. There is joy in the Lord because he is with us in our sorrow, our disappointment, our pain and grief. He doesn’t abandon us to our own weakness. His presence strengthens us. His grace comforts us. His promises give us hope. . . even when we aren’t happy. Even when a storm surrounds us. Even when we feel all alone. Even when our bodies writhe in pain. Even when there’s no happiness to be found in those dark places of life, there remains a certain contented joy that transcends mere happiness.

 

That joy comes from the knowledge that the creator of the universe sees you where you are. He notices, even if you haven’t noticed him. He knows your sorrow and your doubts. He catches your tears in his hand. Your worries and anxiety are not lost to him. He sees you where you are and he calls you by name. When you quiet yourself and listen, you can hear him speak. Maybe not in an audible voice, but you can recognize his encouraging presence if you are still before him. He speaks through his Word, through his Spirit, through others, and even through the painful experiences that make you so sad.

 

Happy or not, God never abandons his children.  Whether we’re happy or not, he remains faithful. He will continue to work good through all circumstances, happy or not, for those who love him and are called according to his purpose. Being sad is not somehow “unChristian.” It’s not a reflection that you’ve lost your faith. In fact, it might be the mark of a maturing faith to be sad in the face of poverty, divisive relationships, and so many oppressing realities. Your faith, not your emotions, is what sustains you, when you are happy – or not.

 

Pursue happiness. But pursue even more ardently the one who strengthens you and gives you hope when you are happy…or not.

 

Facing the enemy

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Walt Kelly’s Pogo cartoon was a favorite of mine when I was a teen. Often political and satire in nature, this strip about a possum living in Okefenoki Swamp, often hit on important life truths. This one features Pogo’s most famous quote, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” While the focus of this cartoon was environmental pollution, it speaks another truth to me. That is, when our minds consider the image of enemies, we might do well to look at ourselves first. Why?

We often are to blame for making up our enemies. We are so adept at categorizing people who look, think, talk, and act differently from us, we have this tendency to put a label on them and to regard their interests as opposed and threatening to ours. We put up defensive fences to keep them distant. In our minds they become ‘enemies.’ Quite the opposite, learning to understand each other helps us to learn from each other. It is a very small circle that includes only those who agree with you in every way. It seems to me we encounter enough real foes in life that we needn’t imagine more just because we find ourselves different from one another.

Another reason we become our own enemies is that we are so good at looking at what we see and then conjuring up irrational thoughts about it. Say the word very slowly and you find that “rationalize” sounds a lot like “rationale lies.” What rational lies have you told yourself over and over again. The truths in life often aren’t readily perceived by the eyes, but by the heart and mind. You have one image of yourself and likely, God has another. I think we are best off seeing ourselves as the one who created us sees us. Whenever you hear one of those negative inner voices, answer it with the promises of God over your life and your future. As the old saying goes, “When fear comes knocking, let faith answer the door.”

Another reason we become our own enemy is that we don’t dress properly. To go outside in this -25 degree weather without a coat and gloves would be asking for trouble. Likewise to go swimming with all your winter clothes on is just as dangerous. The bible tells us that when we strive against each other we are really facing a battle of spiritual forces. It tells us to “dress” properly each day with the spiritual armor of God: the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, the boots of peace, the shield of faith, the sword of the Spirit, and the helmet of salvation. If we don’t, our vulnerability is our own doing. And notice that the armor of God doesn’t come with any protection for your back, so don’t run from attacks from the enemy. Just make sure the enemy you face isn’t yourself.