Read Matthew 12: 1-14
Here you have those tricky Pharisees trying to trap Jesus in going against the law. They are so self-assured by the rules. The rules make them look good and they love the Law because of that. Jesus, on the other hand, chose to help the man. Helping him went against the Law of the Pharisees. Who makes a law against helping someone? People who are seeking their own happiness. Even though, He could get in trouble by helping the man, Jesus did and basically said helping someone is above any rule, self-gratification, and happiness.
Justice for the oppressed
My mom is from a little village in Mexico, at 16 she swam the colorado river and ended up in Yuma, AZ. She had a few odd jobs before she met my dad and he invited her to church, The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army took a big risk by hiring her to be the social service worker when I was around 10. She learned a lot at that job and that led her to the path of finding her current job that she is passionate about; helping the unfortunate. Specifically, those born with mental handicaps and who are emotionally unstable. She helps people by driving them to appointments, helping them fill out forms, picking up their medications and helping them cope with the world. Usually, when people are having issues like anger or depression, she teaches them coping skills. These skills mostly consist of volunteering somewhere, or going to art shows or hikes.
Lennon
I do not like this picture of a John Lennon quote. When you only care about yourself and your own happiness, your life gets worse.
The goal of life is not happiness that is the means to the goal. You should do things happily. More importantly you should DO THINGS!
If your only goal is to be happy then you will fail. Trying to satisfy yourself leads at least to people disliking you. To put it plainly, if you are near someone small with an iPad wouldn't it make you happy to have an iPad. So why not take it? On the other hand, if you wake up early and wash all the dishes, what would the people around say to you when you wake up? So would you rather have a kid and his parents super mad at you or people you love really happy with you? You should be trying to make others happy.
Like I said, my parents went to church before I was even born. So I have been going my whole life and had the Bible read to me every night. When I was young, it was fun and exciting. When I became a teenager, I was too cool for all of it. I wouldn't be a distraction but I also would never participate. While trying to satisfy my flesh, I found myself in a bout of depression and considering ending my life and receiving an intervention by some great people in my church and when I was seventeen I decided to work at the Salvation Army camp. Once I was hired, I immediately grew my prayer life so that God would mold me from a depressed weirdo into a good camp counselor for all the kids to come. And when they came, I was so on fire for God and on my breaks I would have my nose up the Bible to prepare for nightly devotions. It was the closest I have ever been to God.
Seeking happiness leads to depression or anger other bad things. Seeking to help people happily leads to life to the full.
Proverbs 21:21
"He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor"
Righteousness as in right so like Justice.
It doesn't say those who pursue happiness find it! No those who pursue, as in have a thirst for/ as in are happy to do it, justice find LIFE!
So think about a group of people or someone who is oppressed. Or even someone who is worse off than you.
There are plenty. Have you heard of what is happening in Venezuela or Mexico or even why so many people cross the border; do you know why the hotels are unfinished in Sochi; do you think the injustice to Native Americans is over; did you know the super bowl is the busiest day for human traffickers; do you know what is happening with your neighbors?
How can you help them?
Let's at least start with a prayer, not for them, not yet at least. A prayer for God to change your heart! He created you to care not to be cared for! So pray for you.
Then Pray for them.
Then meet them and meet their needs.
