During my preparations for this important leadership retreat, I came across a very interesting checklist titled ‘Happiness Index‘, crucial steps to analyze my current state of my ‘workplace happiness’! I was absolutely curios and without thinking too much, began the survey! The results of the report was amazing, it opened my eyes to discover my alignment with the ‘Happiness Model’ and its Frameworks for a happier, more profitable, and
purposeful culture!
From a personal view point, how happy am I outside my workplace? I must be happy outside work to be able to stay happy inside work! It does not work the other way round. We need the money and this is the argument, but we need to be happy to earn the money for the greater purpose or, is ‘money’ the only hot button for our happiness? This got me thinking more!
I ran another test. What is my mindset? Do I begin with ‘God’ and His rights and goals? Or do I begin with ‘myself’ and My rights and wishes? The realization is that if it is myself and my rights and wishes, I will bend corners, I will not surely lose my integrity, I will do anything to get the job done. If I can however take a stand on the righteousness of God, I have hope, I am grounded strong and will be free from the futile mindset of the world. And, I know that, therefore, I will never fall.
I ran a further test (I love to take tests, detested them when in college!!!). I imagined this because my wife loves to do this every time she sees me at my desk, I took my imagination to this next level, Jesus came to spend time with me (as I am writing this), He took the little stool where the table fan is placed, He moved it to the floor and, sat on this stool beside me, and said, “I really love you”! When Cindy does this, I ignore her (most often), give her a half smile 25% of the time or respond back with a kiss 1% of the time. But now, I am in a different situation, what would I focus on as I write, will I say ‘don’t disturb me MA…..’ or react usually with ‘Can you not see that I am working?’.
“I am loved”? What does HE mean when He says this to me? What is this “being loved” all about? I am scared, I feel unworthy, but is this Him telling me something that I am afraid to hear? Isn’t this the greatest, most Christ-exalting joy to be found in watching Jesus seated next to me and, am I just waiting or why am I not bursting with saying, “You’re amazing!” “You are amazing!” “I don’t know what to say now?”.
Is not His love for us His eagerness to do for us all he must do (including die for us) so that we can marvel at Him and, not be afraid or be scared by Him? Redemption, propitiation, forgiveness, justification, reconciliation – all these have to happen. They are the act of love that gives us the Joy and eternal Happiness and that with him beside me, I see His jaw-dropping glory and be astounded! In this very moment, I forget myself and see and feel HIM! Suddenly, I am THRILLED, and SO HAPPY to be loved by Jesus!
I wake up on many mornings feeling hopeless, fragile and lost. No single threat. No one weakness. Just this random sense that something is going to go wrong and I will be responsible. Very often its after a lot of Criticisms, expectations, poor sales performance, deadlines that seem too many. But I am amazed, I move forward from the moment I step out of bed, I know He cares, He loves, He infuses me with Joy and Happiness, instead of letting me sink into a paralysis of fear, or run to a mirage of greener grass, He has awakened a cry for help and then answered with a concrete promise! I am HAPPY! I am THRILLED! I am ECSTATIC!
‘Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.’
Psalm 55:22
INSPIRE 