The Dead-end Of Happiness
It’s the mantra of our modern society. “I just want to be happy!” And, I mean, it is even written into our countries Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among them are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Is happiness a self-evident truth?
The pursuit of happiness; that’s how the declaration reads. But we all know it is an elusive thing. You’ve experienced it, right? Happiness is based on circumstances. The sun shines, I feel good, the day includes enjoyable activities – I’m happy! The rain comes, I feel under the weather, I’ve got to go to work and do some difficult task – I’m not happy. I get to see the grandkids, the colonoscopy resulted in no issues, we’re going to eat at my favorite restaurant – I’m happy! I’m home alone, they found a mass on the X-ray, I can’t afford that vacation I so want – I’m not happy. And so it goes.
The case often made for living the “gay” lifestyle is this: Don’t they have a right to be happy? But let’s not stop there, too often the battle cry of the Christian becomes: Doesn’t God want me to be happy? Certainly, he does, but not in a temporary, selfish, push God away sort of culture. Underline “temporary”.
You see, the problem is, such a mindset is earth bound. In other words, it’s all about having as much fun and enjoyment in this life as possible. No thought about what happens after death, no thought about heaven or hell.
Maybe we should be reminded of Jesus’ words. You remember him, right? “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do. I will warn you who to fear, fear him who, after you’ve died, has authority to cast you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4, 5). Or, on a more positive note, “If then you have been raised with Christ (in baptism, a Christ-follower), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, then you will also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
Friends, this is a sin plagued world, and the “happiness” enjoyed by Adam and Eve in the garden is long gone. Don’t get me wrong, there is much to be happy about in this life, but it must be balanced with a heartfelt pursuit of God through Christ, who offers to save us from sin (our own, in particular), but this salvation comes with the cost of discipleship. Such discipleship, when sincerely pursued, offers much. Moral boundaries, for our benefit, purpose as we connect with God’s will, meaning as we find life in Christ, and eventually an eternity of joy that surpasses any fleeting “happiness” this life has to offer. But it requires some sacrifice, we must truly take up our cross and follow Jesus as Lord (Matt. 16:24). Jesus once said, “Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). We are starting to see some of that in our society. It’s not happiness. But if faithful, it leads to something better.
Truthfully, happiness is not talked about much in scripture. I put the world “happy” in my You Version search browser and it just spun without result. There’s a reason for that.
When we find happiness naturally because good things have happened, that’s great. But let’s not make it our primary pursuit in this life; it will lead to a dead-end. But when we seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, there will be a day when we are happy indeed.
Question: Discuss happiness vs holiness. From the evidence of your life, which are you pursuing?
The pursuit of happiness; that’s how the declaration reads. But we all know it is an elusive thing. You’ve experienced it, right? Happiness is based on circumstances. The sun shines, I feel good, the day includes enjoyable activities – I’m happy! The rain comes, I feel under the weather, I’ve got to go to work and do some difficult task – I’m not happy. I get to see the grandkids, the colonoscopy resulted in no issues, we’re going to eat at my favorite restaurant – I’m happy! I’m home alone, they found a mass on the X-ray, I can’t afford that vacation I so want – I’m not happy. And so it goes.
The case often made for living the “gay” lifestyle is this: Don’t they have a right to be happy? But let’s not stop there, too often the battle cry of the Christian becomes: Doesn’t God want me to be happy? Certainly, he does, but not in a temporary, selfish, push God away sort of culture. Underline “temporary”.
You see, the problem is, such a mindset is earth bound. In other words, it’s all about having as much fun and enjoyment in this life as possible. No thought about what happens after death, no thought about heaven or hell.
Maybe we should be reminded of Jesus’ words. You remember him, right? “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body and after that have nothing more they can do. I will warn you who to fear, fear him who, after you’ve died, has authority to cast you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him” (Luke 12:4, 5). Or, on a more positive note, “If then you have been raised with Christ (in baptism, a Christ-follower), seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears, then you will also appear with him in glory” (Col. 3:1-4).
Friends, this is a sin plagued world, and the “happiness” enjoyed by Adam and Eve in the garden is long gone. Don’t get me wrong, there is much to be happy about in this life, but it must be balanced with a heartfelt pursuit of God through Christ, who offers to save us from sin (our own, in particular), but this salvation comes with the cost of discipleship. Such discipleship, when sincerely pursued, offers much. Moral boundaries, for our benefit, purpose as we connect with God’s will, meaning as we find life in Christ, and eventually an eternity of joy that surpasses any fleeting “happiness” this life has to offer. But it requires some sacrifice, we must truly take up our cross and follow Jesus as Lord (Matt. 16:24). Jesus once said, “Remember the word that I said to you: A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (John 15:20). We are starting to see some of that in our society. It’s not happiness. But if faithful, it leads to something better.
Truthfully, happiness is not talked about much in scripture. I put the world “happy” in my You Version search browser and it just spun without result. There’s a reason for that.
When we find happiness naturally because good things have happened, that’s great. But let’s not make it our primary pursuit in this life; it will lead to a dead-end. But when we seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness, there will be a day when we are happy indeed.
Question: Discuss happiness vs holiness. From the evidence of your life, which are you pursuing?