The Pursuit of Happiness

Volume 18, Issue 3

The Pursuit of Happiness Contributed by Claudia Binns

Jesus said in John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” These are solid words to live by during this stage of our lives. We tend to have this misconception

that being saved means the end of a ‘hard’ and ‘struggling’ life. We believe that life gets easier. But God never promised that life would be easy. He said we ought to take up our cross and carry it daily and follow Him. Our crosses could be our pain,

hurt, neglect/rejection, loss of loved ones etc.

One might ask

“Does this mean life is always going to be difficult and that struggles will overwhelm us?” Definitely not. Our experiences always come with a message, if we look closely, we will always see what our Father wants us to gain.

When we fall in love with Jesus and build that connection or unbreakable bond with Him, we realize that whatever season we are

experiencing in our lives there will always be that sweet feeling buried deep within our souls. This reflects in a smile we give on our way to work. A handshake or wave to our neighbour or encouraging words given to the ‘hopeless’

or ‘lost’ even a meal to the homeless.

Isaiah 12:6 says, “Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.” When we are going through pain, hurt, or sorrow of this world we should not carry on

as if we are hopeless. We should instead connect to the hope that our Heavenly Father sees and knows all and believe that just like everything else, this too shall pass. For as scripture says there is a time for everything.

God assures us that our joy is wrapped up in knowing and believing in Him and not on anyone or anything else. He is the only Source of unspeakable joy.

rejoice

Jamaica Baptist Union Youth Department |

The Pursuit of Love

Contributed by Lori-Ann O’Connor

Human beings were created to love, with love, and by Love. We all desire varying kinds of love from various people and things in varying ways. We caught up with three beautiful couples within the JBUYD, to get a better understanding of how they view and experience love. Andre and Natalie Holness have been together for five years and married for four of those years. Marcel and Alicia Clarke, the newlyweds, have been together for three years and

married for one. Finally, Andre Alleyne and Shaneil Service have been together for two years and engaged for a little under a year.

“Come let us go to the land of love Where the love light shine so bright above…” The stage was set for the couples meeting each other

Natalie and Andre

They met at a gas station. “Andre offered to help put air in my car tyre and then asked for my number. After many refusals, I eventually gave him my second phone number that I was not really using. He kept calling that day and I did not answer until the next day when he tried calling again. We became friends from there.”

Marcel and Alicia

They met at a JBUYD executive meeting but became closer through an act of kindness with Alicia sharing some breadfruit with Marcel who was on a family trip. They have never stopped communicating since then.

Andre and Shaneil

Volume 18, Issue 3 are from St. Catherine Baptist Association Youth Arm (SACABAYA). They became closer through an annual parish youth retreat when Shaneil prayed for him in earnest. Now they are looking forward to marriage.

Courtship and dating is a very important part of relationships

Shaneil and Andre

“The usual dating strategies never seem to work for us. There is not a lot of romantic dinners, and beach dates etc. It has been several ministry activities, praising and working together. So, it has been different & awesome”

Alicia and Marcel

“Ours was several back and forth between St Mary and Manchester. A 2 hour drive each time at least twice a month sometimes resulting in Marcel reaching home at midnight or later. Then our courting went digital since we were in two different countries”

Natalie and Andre

“When we met, Andre was not a Christian and so I invited him to my church where he eventually accepted Christ and got baptized. He said he did it with his own conviction and not because he wanted to be with me. That sealed it for me. We started going on dates and visiting each other's family homes. We did many country trips, especially with me being involved with JBUYD Executive at the time. He traveled with me a lot and we also used those times to bond”

“…We will be so happy and free All your pains will let you be…”

Always show love to your partner

Natalie’s

love language is Acts of Service and she said, “I show Andre H that I love him by the things I do for him. In addition, we both show love by spending quality time with each other. That definitely leads to physical touch which brings intimacy and keeps the love going”

Marcel said, “Alicia ensures that I am well cared for. She reminds me that I am her king and she checks in on me every day to ensure i am having a great day. Only someone who loves you would wake up at 5am when I am running late to help me get a balanced meal”

For Shaneil it is Andre A’s random, unexpected acts, for example sending flowers just because it's a Wednesday. “…You're gonna find that love is real

By the feeling you feel…”

5 The couples dished out some sound advice to youth looking to find love The Clarkes said, “When you love someone you will know. You do not have to run behind someone you love. Love is beyond the physical”

The Holness’

told us,

“pray about your relationship. Ensure this is the will of God for you both and allow Him to guide…”

Shaneil and Andre said, “WAIT! The love that God has reserved for you is special and it does not require any acts of exploration. He has set it aside for you alone so it can't be taken from you…”

We pray for God’s continued blessings on these and all couples within the JBUYD. It is our hope that this sneak peek into their love stories will inspire us all as we love, be loved, and seek love knowing

Song credit:

“Land of Love” Griffiths reach

by Marcia

that God is love!