Perhaps We Have It All Wrong?

It seems most everyone you know is in pursuit of happiness in one form or another. No doubt, pursuing happiness can be a wonderful experience; but, what is it you are really after? What is it that brings you happiness? What is it that will bring you contentment?

I have watched thrill seekers carrying out extraordinary feats yet never quite satisfied—always seeking for something just a bit more daring, a bit more adventurous. I have observed those who seemed to have everything going great for them and yet they still appear to want more, desire more—never quite satisfied.

Perhaps we have it all wrong? Just maybe all our lifelong pursuits are in vain? I’m reminded of the man who, by worldly standards, had it all—great riches and wealth, wisdom, insight, women, houses, palaces—you name it, Solomon had it. There was nothing in this world that he could not acquire if he so desired it.

Yet, as he was nearing the end of his life, he reminisced about his past life and this is exactly what he had to say about it: “Meaningless! Meaningless!…Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2 NIV). After assessing all that life had offered him, once again, he concluded: “Meaningless! Meaningless!…Everything is meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 12:8).

Maybe it would help if we considered what James had to say about happiness and joy? He wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4 NIV). The stretching of your faith as you learn to seek after GOD and His ways will increase your joy, strength and perseverance.

May we have had it all wrong for a long time? But, it doesn’t have to remain that way. Solomon closed out Ecclesiastes by instructing each of us to: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NIV). Nehemiah said: “the joy of the LORD is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).

Scripture Reading: “Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. In that day you will say: Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you” (Isaiah 12:2-6 NIV).

Personal Prayer: Father, help me to discover my Source of happiness and joy is You! Help me to enjoy Your presence and extended periods of intimacy with You. Help me to clear my head of the world and what the world declares to bring happiness and to discover it is only through You! I love You and praise You always…in Jesus’name…AMEN!