Where’s your happy button?

This is the time of year that I am usually giddy with anticipation. In fact, when I see Halloween decorations creeping out at Wal-Mart, feelings of joy start to gurgle up from deep down inside.

Nope.

You can cancel your plans for the letter explaining to me the evils of October 31st, that’s not what makes me gleeful. However, when you see the Trick O Treater gear clogging the aisles I do get a skip in my step because it means just one thing to me… The NBA season is almost here!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year….

For you ESPN addicts, you’ll be sure to note that owner/player talks may delay or even cancel this coming season.

Nope. Still not dismayed.

If the season starts late, or never even begins, I’ll be just fine. Why? Because

the Dallas Mavericks are the current reigning NBA Champions (in case you hadn’t heard), and a cancelled season means that we hold onto that title one more year, guaranteed!

Don’t judge me, dispute me or lodge an argument. I know what makes me happy and your logic will make no sense to me while my imagination continues pushing images of Dirk Nowitzki and I doing an 80s movie montage to “We Are The Champions” around the trophy…. Good times… Good times….

What pushes your happy button? I bet you have a small list.

Let me change directions though. When it comes to your faith, what pushes your happy button?

You can figure this one out by asking yourself “What do I talk about when it comes to my faith?” Here’s what I hear alot:

* “I love my church!”
* “KJV all the way Baby”
* “We’re a Spirit lead congregation”
* “Our Worship team is AMAZING”
* “We’ve planted 6 churches in the last 4 years”
* “You’ve got to hear my pastor speak, awesome”
* “We’re just growing so fast”
* “Our youth program is the best I’ve ever seen”

Can you see where I am going with this list? These aren’t bad things, in fact, they are totally exciting things we should be pleased with, but isn’t there more than this?

Jesus once sent out 72 of His disciples to scour the countryside in His name. When they came back there was a celebration about the amazing things that took place: huge results, powerful ministry, supernatural manifestations of uber awesomeness.

Jesus was not really that impressed.

Luke 10:17 The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Wow, there’s a redirect!

We’ve been forgiven, our souls have been redeemed and our home is now heaven!

You have a great church, good.

Your building is amazing, cool.

Your small group is the best, alright.

But, how about this? God loved us when we were completely covered in our brokenness. He cared so much for us He was willing to sacrifice His own Son to be punished in our place. He has poured so much grace on us that we’ve been given the promise of eternal life… in paradise… with Him!

So, the next time you get the opportunity to testify. The next time you see the door open to share your faith. The next time, why don’t you share something that makes a difference?

Wy don’t you share what’s impressive to Jesus?

I once was lost, but now I’m found. I was blind but now I see. I once was broken with no hope, but the God of the universe wrote my name in His book and sealed the deal.

Thank you Jesus.