Is That "How You Roll" ?

I saw that statement and it made me think...I do think it is powerful on its own...just for contemplation....but, sometimes I have a lot of words to use up because I didn't get my quota in during my day of data entry... :)

Anyway, I do not think those two things are opposites....nor that one has to cancel the other out.  Maybe that is not what the person who created this sign is inferring, so I mean no criticism....but, to me, it is just a different level of aspiration to pursue holiness where happiness then falls into place in submission to it and is not, in itself, the end goal..  That is a challenge for a lot of (if not most) believers....to allow the joy of the Lord to become our complete happiness and to discern within a great big world of freedom and endless possibilities what is honoring to the Lord and beneficial for our growth in Him and our joyful expression of this for His purpose to build His Kingdom through us.  That whole process of seeking Him daily and, even moment by moment gives us strength, wisdom, and discernment.  I am not an expert, but God has been teaching me some things about this as I have been seeking to view my life with joy, count my blessings, and, honestly, enjoy the freedom I have to live, love and understand I am forgiven because I am not perfect.    

At what point does pleasing God become more desirable than pleasing self?  WOW...that's a great question...because I am not sure we arrive there as a final destination or something....but, it is within our grasp moment by moment only because God has given us access to Himself.  What I do know is that holiness is not some badge I get to wear so that I will feel good about myself and can then look at others to decide if they have earned their badges yet.  Holiness is so personal and is seasoned with absolute gratefulness to God for all His goodness and humility as we seek whatever He wants for us and submit to his teaching in our lives....through it, we see with the greatest clarity, our own depravity and, in turn, our need/blessing of salvation and our privilege to share that with others.  It is not just the eternal life-giving prayer that led us to Him, but that He is now the air we breathe.