The Pursuit of Happiness

Happiness means something a little different for each of us, and yet it is something we all desire and expect. A famous line from one of the most popular comic strips of all time was the statement Charles Schultz attributed to Charlie Brown: “Happiness is a warm puppy.”   If you’re not a dog-lover, you’d probably prefer a human relationship. Socrates said, "By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you'll become happy; if you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher." 

Some of us think happiness comes as a result of education, a good job, a husband/wife, enough money to buy all the things we want, constant entertainment, physical beauty, a perfect body, fame, prestige, position, power, or any number of things. But if we think these things will bring happiness, we need to think again.

If you don’t agree, don’t take my word for it. Read for yourself about King Solomon, the richest, most powerful, wisest, and most coddled man who ever lived. With his choice of women, he chose 700 wives and 300 concubines. Crazy man!

Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 2 that he had more money than he could spend and bought himself anything he desired. He had beautiful homes and grounds with gardens, cattle, horses and stables, pools, and luxurious furnishings. He had oodles of servants, including some who played music and entertained him. He had great wisdom more than any man. As king, he had absolute power and control over his life and the lives of others. He also had health and youth, yet none of these things satisfied him.

Solomon’s conclusion in 2:17 was that nothing satisfied him and he “hated life,” because everything was “vanity” (emptiness) and “vexation of spirit” (troublesome). In verse 18, he admits that he actually hated all the things he had worked to achieve, because he didn’t want to leave them for someone else to enjoy after he died. What selfishness!   

The very things that Solomon (and many others have) sought after only bring emptiness and depression. It’s a fact of life that things simply do not satisfy. Part of the human condition is that, no matter how much we have, there is still an insatiable desire for more. Why? Because we are spiritual beings, and only God can fill the emptiness of our hearts and satisfy our souls.

What we are really seeking is fulfillment. To be fulfilled, our lives must have purpose. Some people never determine what their life's purpose is, or even consider that they should have one. They simply drift through life waiting for the next thrill, with no real goals or achievements. Others may find a purpose, but when they come to the end of life, they realize they've lived for the wrong purpose. They only regret having spent their lifetime on things that brought no satisfaction and had no real value. The happiest people on earth are those who know why they are here, and they are determined to live out that purpose.

A worthwhile life is the one spent doing things that have meaning and eternal value: For instance cultivating friendships, building character, helping those in need, meaningful work, sharing knowledge and wisdom gained over time, and establishing a personal relationship with God.

Happiness can be an elusive dream or a reality. It’s something we cannot find by struggling and grasping for it. Rather, it comes as a result of applying our time and effort toward achieving worthwhile goals. Having a sense of accomplishment is what gives life meaning and fulfillment. If we pursue happiness, it will continue to evade us. But when we set out to make others happy and fulfill God’s purpose for our lives, happiness comes automatically, without a struggle.

You see, happiness a gift, rather than a feat. It is the by-product of a living a balanced life—the balance of accomplishment, good relationships, a spiritual connection, and emotional stability.

The best things in life really are free: Salvation, love, family, friendship, truth, work, character, the beauty of the natural world, health, etc. But we must be willing to accept these things as God’s gifts and appreciate them rather than casting them aside as though they are not valuable enough for us.

What makes you happy? If you think about it, you may realize that your happiness is connected to your spiritual health. That's the conclusion Solomon eventually reached after a life time of struggling to find happiness. 

After discussing everything that he had achieved, Solomon’s conclusion of the whole matter was: “Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”  Ecclesiastes 11:13 

I think we should learn the easy way...from King Solomon's experience.  Remember, he WAS the wisest person who ever lived!

What do you think?