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I've always been intrigued by the idea presented in The Arabian Nights, when Aladdin finds the lamp and a genie permits him a wish. It makes me wonder what I would choose if given such a choice. Since I've never been wildly wealthy, the first things that come to mind are endless riches, a dream house, or luxury travel. But as soon as I think of those things, I wonder if that's really what I want. I think of someone like Britney Spears or Lindsay Lohan and wonder if they would trade all their fame and fortune for some inner peace and a sense that what they're doing matters.

Of course, if I read my Bible with the intent of obeying what it says, I'll find it difficult to wish for wealth and luxury. Jesus said things such as, "the Son of Man has no place to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20), and "those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last" (Matthew 20:16, NLT), and "When someone has been given much, much will be required in return" (Luke 12:48, NLT), and "These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs" (Matthew 6:32, NLT).

What was Jesus' purpose in saying such things? Was it just to be a killjoy? Did he want to make sure we were miserable while here on Earth so we would long for heaven? Or was it because he knew what would really make us happy?

To Be Blessed Means …

One of my favorite Scripture passages is the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, where Jesus lists what it means to be blessed. It's certainly not what comes to my mind when I think of being blessed or when I pray for others to be blessed. Remember all those childhood prayers, "Bless Mommy, Daddy, and Auntie Sue"? We had no idea what we were saying! We were actually saying, "Let them be poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and persecuted."

So how could such things lead to happiness? It seems like they lead more to the opposite of happiness. But the Beatitudes tell us one thing clearly. We can never be happy when we live self-centered lives. We may be fooled into thinking we're happy for a while, but eventually it will fold in on us because true happiness can be found only in a relationship with our Creator. Only the One who made us knows what will truly make us happy and give us satisfaction in life. We have to get to the end of ourselves and the beginning of God to gain any lasting contentment in life. And that can happen only through divine revelation and transformation through God's Word and the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It's the "pearl of great value" (Matthew 13:46), worth selling everything to gain it. And ultimately, it's the secret to true satisfaction.

Digging Deeper

1. If you found a genie in a lamp, what would you wish for? Quick, name the first thing that comes to your mind. After you've named it, take time to think about it. Would that really make you happy? Why or why not?

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this where I am so funny I found you site, I have be struggling looking at all my friends living in expensive places and so called glamourous lives and I am in a less then eventful city..very boring and humble actually, and my life is not very exciting at all and I am trying to be content, even though I know my flesh is not excited at all where I am. But I stumbled upon your article and am learning slowly that its not what I think is important that matters. I think of mj here he had everything and feel sorry for him cuz early on he was taught that was the way to life, but he was probably miserable when he died. I don't want to end up like that. So I need to continue to pray and remember what life is really all about.

simply brilliant.may the Lord have mercy upon us.

Thanks for writing that. Just what I need to hear tonight. I struggle so hard with comparing myself to others and being jealous of what they have and are able to afford etc...I know it's wrong and I have been trying so hard to feel satisfied and content with what I have. I'm trying to cling to God and read His word, sometimes progress just seems so slow that it's really as if nothing is happening.

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