In Pursuit of Happiness - Part Eight | 08.20.12

Happiness is found in allowing GOD to be LORD of all in our lives.  When GOD is given permission to rule, it is then that He is indeed seen as LORD.  Webster's Dictionary primarily defines the verb "rule" as "to exert control, direction, or influence on."  Most times, we tend to consider "ruling" to ONLY be controlling; however, let's broaden our perspective and embrace a more comprehensive approach.  I believe the dictionary is on to something here worth exploring, so let's dig into this a bit further.

In evaluating this definition of "rule," we see three distinct forms of a single action.  Since GOD created mankind as being free will moral agents, it is not my belief that GOD controls us nor does He desire to do so.  However, I do believe that GOD CONTROLS the elements of our environment because He established the physical systems by which life on Earth operates.  Additionally, I believe that GOD DIRECTS our paths because the situations and circumstances we face are only those He allows.  Since everything about us was predestined before the foundations of the world, never do we face anything that is not purposed to move us closer to the will of GOD being fulfilled in our lives.  Lastly, because we are free will agents and must choose the way(s) we take, GOD INFLUENCES us to leverage the measure of faith He's already given us (according to Romans 12:3) to believe and take corresponding action.  GOD wants to reason with us.  It's His desire to influence our decision-making, not to force or buy our compliance with His will.  Our choosing to obey GOD must be a decision of the heart, not one of self-preservation.  Otherwise, the authenticity of our choice to fellowship with GOD is lost.

As you can see, there's much more to GOD's rulership than control.  It is very crucial for us, as Kingdom citizens, to clearly understand the three-dimensional nature of GOD's rulership.  His interest is that of partnering with us to manifest Heaven's agenda in the Earth realm.  As we come to understand and embrace this paradigm of GOD's lordship, we will begin to see how happiness is indeed possible when our God is the LORD.  GOD controls, GOD directs and GOD influences because He wants us to be happy.  He's created the pattern for our happiness and has made following it fool proof, but we'll never experience it without making a conscious choice to submit to GOD's influence.  And the sooner we get this, the sooner we can begin to see GOD, our Source, as being our treasure instead of all these other resources we value more and constantly seek after instead of Him.