Fall, my favorite time of the year, is almost here. For those who enjoy hunting this gets their blood to pumping. Whether it’s doves, ducks, or deer, when the season rolls around hunters get excited, or as some would say–“Happy, happy, happy”! While others care nothing about this sport, there is one type of hunting that just about everyone engages in, and its season is always open. I’m talking about the hunt for happiness.
Some people will do anything if they think it will make them happy. They will live at break neck speed, pursue every pleasure, spend every penny, explore every avenue, violate any rule, and abuse any relationship, if they think they can bag their limit of happiness. Strangely enough they never limit-out. It’s all hunting and no finding. But, they never give up. As strange as it might seem, they make themselves miserable trying to make themselves happy. Yet they keep hunting.
It should be obvious by now that absolutely nothing can make some people happy. The very fact that they never quit hunting happiness proves my point. What they don’t understand is that happiness never comes as a result of pursuing it. That’s getting the cart before the horse. Happiness is something that comes to us, not something we can go get. No amount of effort can produce happiness. We often speak about happiness being a choice, and there is some truth to that, but not in the sense that most people think. Strong resolve or even bulldog tenacity alone is never enough. The “choice” that brings happiness is the choice to surrender ourselves lock-stock-and -barrel to the Lord — to do our best to bring Him pleasure.
The happiest, most contented, satisfied people on earth are those who are fully committed to pleasing God rather than self. And that’s the way it works for everyone. Many have wasted their lives hunting happiness without ever finding it. But the moment you stop hunting it and start seeking the will of God happiness comes to you. The man who said,”I have learned, in whatever state I am, therewith to be content”( Phil. 4:11), first said, “For to me to live is Christ”(Phil. 1:21). Only those who seek to please God will ever be pleased with life. So, when you set out to bag that ten-point buck, or limit-out on some other game, I wish you well–but, please don’t think it will bring you lasting happiness. That comes only by seeking to please God. Think about it!
