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Written by Aaron Sparks
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Sunday, 30 August 2009 15:11 |
In the United States Declaration of Independence, the most remembered and quoted phrase is:
“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 these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Many will uphold this phrase as their own guideline to life and will defend it to the death. I would like us to think about the danger in that last phrase though, “the pursuit of Happiness”, that leads many people to chase after the things which only provide temporary reward. Unfortunately, this can be a hedonistic philosophy of life (meaning that the pursuit of pleasures is the ultimate goal of life). Many feel the need to strive towards this, many times, at the expense of others. Another phrase of worldly wisdom, “Do what you will, but harm none.” That phrase is actually a foundational phrase of the Wiccan religion.
Unfortunately, it may take a long time for many of you to realize that the purpose of life isn’t actually to achieve the “Happily Ever After” of fairy tale stories. Some may never discover this little bit of wisdom that I’m about to share with you.
Happiness is a fleeting emotion. The more you depend on it to find fulfillment in this life, the more you will experience the ups and downs, and this life wreaks havok on your emotions. Happiness will disappoint you if you depend on it. But pursue everlasting joy. Joy is something entirely different from happiness. Joy is only offered and given through one pursuit and one pursuit only.
“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” -Psalm 37:4
The first time I came across that verse, I thought I understood it immediately. I was wrong, but not entirely. Later on, life and wisdom taught me differently.
Jesus says this...
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” -John 15:9-11
If you didn’t understand that, simplified it means, “Follow God and you will find an ongoing joy.” This how we can rejoice in our sufferings as Romans 5:3, 1 Peter 1:6, and 1 Peter 4:13 instructs us. It’s how the apostles were able to rejoice when punished for spreading the gospel (Acts 5:41). In their desire to seek God first in their life, situations faded away, and the ever present reality became aways before them.
If you think joy is found in the possession of material goods or the pleasures this world has to offer, you’ve missed the point and your insatiable hunger will consume you (Eccl 5:10). But if you seek God with all your heart, I can absolutely promise you, you won’t be disappointed.
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