In The Valley of Vision, one Puritan writer said: “O Lord, Help me never to expect any happiness from the world, but only in thee. Let me not think that I shall be more happy by living to myself, for I can only be happy if employed for thee…Teach me that if I do not live a life that satisfies thee, I shall not live a life that will satisfy myself.”

Do we expect happiness from the world? Are we guilty of living for ourselves? Do we believe that living for God is the only truly satisfying way to live?

We know our culture is hostile to Christianity, but it almost seems the brevity of the Puritans is the basis of the 21st Century playbook. You can almost picture a gathering of demons, Screwtape style: “Listen up, the key is convincing them to live for themselves. Tell them it’s about them. Tell them they deserve to be happy, to expect it, to believe that if they are true to themselves, they will be. This is low hanging fruit. It’s a sure road to misery. Now, get after it.”

Thankfully, we know the truth: “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

With Love,

Kristie