Embracing Joy and Purpose in 2024: A Seven24 Journey

As we start a new year, we want to thank each of you for your support this last year, Seven24. We appreciate each of you and look forward to connecting with you all this coming year, we also have a 2024 challenge for you. See the details at the bottom of this post.

We want to start this year with a question: Do you consider yourself "The Happiest Man on Earth?" We know that's a pretty big question!!! 

Eddie Jaku made that statement in his book The Happiest Man on Earth. In the book, Eddie, who was a German Jew, tells his story as he endured seven years of horrors in concentration camps during the holocaust, including Auschwitz and, finally, a forced death march during the Third Reich's final days. It's an inspiring book to read in '24 if you haven't yet. It's powerful, moving, and inspiring as Eddie shares perspective on how he persevered through life's most difficult circumstances and lived to be 101 years old. He shares his wisdom on how he led his best possible life and how life can be beautiful if you make it attractive. Let's take a minute and let that settle in, guys.

Now, we acknowledge that Happiness isn't what life is all about. We have all heard statements like "play with the cards you are dealt" or "life isn't fair." Many of us with kids have probably told them that at some point😉. We know in our hearts that the most important thing on earth is our relationship with Jesus Christ and our salvation from his death on the cross. An eternity of Happiness awaits, guys!

But we want to be happy now. Let's dive into a few verses from the bible on Happiness.

From David, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4

From Solomon, “I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live” Ecclesiastes 3:12

Jesus also gave us some powerful words in the Beatitudes during the Sermon on the Mount that addressed blessings in our lives, arguably leading to Happiness. In summary, we dare to interpret that Jesus tells us that Happiness is found in SERVING OTHERS.

It is quite counter to what the world tells us, and if we admit it, it is counter to what our mind often tells us. Today, as you reflect on the year that has passed and plan for the year to come, we challenge you to consider these thoughts. What will we all do differently in 2024 that will lead to Happiness and, more importantly, build on our relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior?

As mentioned earlier, we started our habit of daily devotion with Rick Warren's book "The Purpose Driven Life." Since then, we have completed many of his devotions in the YouVersion Bible App. You can download the app here.

We have another challenge for you guys: Join us to kick off this new year with a devotion from Pastor Rick called "Habit of Happiness." It's super easy, guys. First, download the app on your phone and click this link to start the plan with us. If you have any trouble, no problem. Send us a note, and we can help walk you through the process!

“Life is what you want it to be, life is in your hands,” -  Eddie Jaku