LIVING ON HAPPY LANE

           When we lived in Bluff Park we often drove up Shades Mountain from Lakeshore on the Old Oxmoor Road. On that route you pass by a street named Happy Lane! I always wondered if the people who live on Happy Lane really are happy, or if someone moved to Happy Lane it would make them Happy.

            I’ve turned in to Happy Lane a couple or so times out of curiosity.  It winds down toward Shades Creek. For a while an abandoned building, which I assume housed a general store when the railroad was close to that location, stood at the head of the road. It has since been torn down and a large field covered with kudzu is left. There are some land parcels for sale. The four houses on Happy Lane are modest but I imagine comfortable enough. I have no idea as to whether their occupants are happy.

            But the truth is, you can live on your own happy lane. Those who are in Christ Jesus have the Holy Spirit within. Paul tells us, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)  I focus on the word joy, which the dictionary defines as “the emotion of great delight or happiness.” The forgiveness, victory, and the present and future confidence we have in Christ gives us joy through the Spirit.

            But this is not the entire story. Happiness is not a matter of circumstances. Happiness is a matter of choice. Two people can be in the same circumstances or facing the same problems and one is happy and the other is unhappy. One can choose happiness because of the joy we have in Christ. 

Grace and peace.