aven’t hit on any heavy issues lately so I thought I would tackle the subject of what it means to be happy on this Thursday, November 20, 2008. Might as well hit a really big one, don’t you think? The idea behind what true happiness means is essentially all over the page with much of it seemingly in the eye of the beholder. It has for the most part become the ‘holy grail’ in life for the majority of folks who populate the planet: “All I want is to be happy!” Hey, in our country we actually have the ‘pursuit of happiness’ codified in our Declaration of Independence making it part of the most famous phrase from that treasured document. The freedom to pursue certainly does not guarantee that it will be attained but only that one should not be inhibited in trying. This brings us back to trying to understand exactly what it means for someone to be happy.
Here’s a couple of randomly selected views on the subject from a website that collected thoughts from a diverse group of folks from all over the world. "Happiness depends upon achievement of personally significant goals and leading a balanced life." Michael from Worcestershire, England "Happiness is the ultimate realization that everything was, and is, exactly as it should be." Paul from The Netherlands On this site they also included some fa
mous people and their quotes on the subject: “True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” Helen Keller “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Aristotle “The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.” Martha Washington. There were many more listed but given the critical priority of this as an ultimate experience to be sought after and achieved, I think it very important that we consult the only inspired operating manual for the human family, that is, God’s Holy Word.
mous people and their quotes on the subject: “True happiness is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” Helen Keller “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Aristotle “The greatest part of our happiness depends on our dispositions, not our circumstances.” Martha Washington. There were many more listed but given the critical priority of this as an ultimate experience to be sought after and achieved, I think it very important that we consult the only inspired operating manual for the human family, that is, God’s Holy Word.The Hebrew word translated ‘happy’ in our English bibles carries the connotation of one being in a sta
te of blessedness. Therefore when we read from Psalm 144:15 it tells us: “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” We can see that people who identify themselves as being connected to God are in a state of blessedness. In the New Testament the Greek word translated ‘happy’ carries a very similar meaning, that of being blessed. Having shared and demonstrated dynamic life changing truths and principles with His inner circle, Jesus then said, “If you know these things, happy or blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17 This tells us clearly that true happiness is not found in any pursuit but rather it comes as a result of a Person. That Person is God and His gift to the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. Far too many of us become weary in our pursuit of pursuing and as a result we end up lacking a sense of what being truly blessed is all about. Whatever true happiness is, it can never be defined by the circumstances we find ourselves in or the possessions w
e attain. Jesus summed it up in this way as found in Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” That coveting (an out of balance and inordinate desire for things, often those that others have) can become the root of our pursuit if we are not grounded in the true source of happiness, that being our Savior, and the life He has given to us. This is a good reminder for us all especially as we enter the season where we celebrate the ultimate blessing to the entire world, the coming of our Savior to die on our behalf. Amen. ……..More later.
te of blessedness. Therefore when we read from Psalm 144:15 it tells us: “Happy are the people who are in such a state; Happy are the people whose God is the LORD!” We can see that people who identify themselves as being connected to God are in a state of blessedness. In the New Testament the Greek word translated ‘happy’ carries a very similar meaning, that of being blessed. Having shared and demonstrated dynamic life changing truths and principles with His inner circle, Jesus then said, “If you know these things, happy or blessed are you if you do them.” John 13:17 This tells us clearly that true happiness is not found in any pursuit but rather it comes as a result of a Person. That Person is God and His gift to the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. Far too many of us become weary in our pursuit of pursuing and as a result we end up lacking a sense of what being truly blessed is all about. Whatever true happiness is, it can never be defined by the circumstances we find ourselves in or the possessions w
e attain. Jesus summed it up in this way as found in Luke 12:15 “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” That coveting (an out of balance and inordinate desire for things, often those that others have) can become the root of our pursuit if we are not grounded in the true source of happiness, that being our Savior, and the life He has given to us. This is a good reminder for us all especially as we enter the season where we celebrate the ultimate blessing to the entire world, the coming of our Savior to die on our behalf. Amen. ……..More later.
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