What really caught my attention, though, is the text.
Don't worry, be happy.
This phrase was commonly used by the Indian mystic and sage Meher Baba, and was popularized by the hippie movement in the 60's. Much later the phrase was made into a song by Bobby McFerrin.
The phrase seems appropriately placed over the quintessential hippie vehicle--the Volkswagen bus.
When I translated this into Thai, it caught me that this summarizes portions of the Sermon on the Mount. The Thai word used for "be happy" is the same word used in some Thai Bible translations where many English translations use "blessed is".
อย่ากระวนกระวาย จงเป็นสุข
This got me to thinking, Jesus taught us how to live the happy and worry free life in the Sermon on the Mount. So I won't say much else, but let the Bible speak.
Don't Worry
25 That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. 30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ 32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. 33 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)
Be Happy
1 And seeing great masses of people he went up into the mountain; and when he was seated his disciples came to him.
2 And with these words he gave them teaching, saying,
3 Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
4 Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted.
5 Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be their heritage.
6 Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness: for they will have their desire.
7 Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy.
8 Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God.
9 Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God.
10 Happy are those who are attacked on account of righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.
11 Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and are cruel to you, and say all evil things against you falsely, because of me.
12 Be glad and full of joy; for great is your reward in heaven: for so were the prophets attacked who were before you.
Matthew 5:1-12 (BBE)
Don't worry, be happy.
No comments:
Post a Comment