I was thinking the other day about things that are supposed to make us happy, bring us joy, etc., but somehow don't… or, at least, don't appear to… or not as much as we anticipated.
Katherine and I went to Des Moines a few weeks ago in the Motor Home. I was preaching there. We went to a Casino across the road from where we parked. No, not to feed the slots, but to feed ourselves. The food is usually good at those places and most important, inexpensive.
Anyway, the Casino was filled with people. Lights flashing… bells ringing… coins clinking, but no one was smiling, except the girl clerk in the gift shop. But this is billed as great and exciting entertainment… Figure that out.
Notice the pictures of "Rock Groups". They are never smiling. They're either at a funeral or just detected a bad odor. But they are supplying fun and entertainment… aren't they?
Have you noticed that out-of-wedlock births don't seem to generate the level of joy, pride, or exuberance that we usually associate with the birth of a baby? But this is supposed to be a time of great, unabashed joy… isn't it?
Smiles in the church service on Sunday morning seem to be in short supply. Some folks say there shouldn't be any at all. But that seems more than a little odd, since Forgiveness and grace are being trumped… good news is being proclaimed… salvation for eternity is being offered. But smiles are "frowned upon". Strange.
What's going on here, you ask. Well, for the most part, it's sin. Sinful attitudes, actions, behaviors, mindsets, pretensions. Sin always manages to ruin good, wholesome joy and happiness in places, things, behaviors, and attitudes.