The Pursuit of Happiness

Something stuck with me I heard a long time ago:  happiness depends on what happens.  Those who make happiness their aim will often be disappointed, for people and circumstances are always changing.  Happiness can be like a good dream perpetually dangled before us, and the pursuit might be more fun than actually achieving our goals--because they often cannot measure up to our expectations.

While preparing for a sermon my mind was drawn to the smiling, eager face of little children awaiting dad or mum blowing bubbles.  They watch intently as the wand is dipped in the solution, and in moments the air is filled with bubbles that dance away on the breeze.  Some prefer lots of tiny bubbles while others, like me, are always trying to make the largest bubble we can and admire it as it sags under its own weight.  Giggling with delight, happy children run with outstretched arms to the bubble.  Only the smallest touch of the bubble causes it to pop and be lost forever.  But no fear:  there's plenty of magic bubble solution left to make more.

These smiling children enjoy the repetitive game, yet at some point all fun things must come to an end.  Perhaps the fun ended prematurely because a clumsy lad poured out his bubbles or the solution was used up.  Then it is time to wash sticky hands or maybe even take a bath, something that is more a chore than chasing bubbles.  It dawned on me when we make happiness our pursuit, the idea of what will bring us ultimate happiness often drifts out of reach.  Yet should we reach our goal, we will surprisingly find ourselves empty.  The only temporary fix for our disappointment is to set our eyes on the next prize and set after it, imagining this will satisfy us.  The pursuit of happiness leads to emptiness.

The joy of the LORD is fundamentally different than happiness, for it does not depend on what happens.  Paul wrote to the church in Philippi to rejoice in the LORD always, and this is possible because God does not change.  No matter what happens to us we can rest in the goodness of God today and always because He is merciful, faithful, compassionate and loving.  For those who are born again by faith in Jesus Christ He makes us a fountain of the Living Water of the Holy Spirit who fills our hearts to overflowing, and those who are in Christ lack no good thing because He provides all that pertains to life and godliness (1 Peter 1:3).  Knowing the joy of the LORD is ours by grace through faith in Jesus, we can be supremely happy in our awesome Saviour.