At the beginning of each new year there is one word that we hear again and again–that word is “Happy”. And, although the phrase “Happy New Year” dies out in a few days, the search for happiness continues on throughout the year. Man never stops looking for it and, strangely enough, never really finds it. He discovers something that gives him a thrill and thinks he has struck gold, but it turns out to be fools gold. Then the thrill is gone and the search starts all over again.
Have you noticed—most people aren’t happy unless they are doing things enjoy? Few have learned to enjoy the things they do. Guess which ones are the happiest? For the former joy depends on circumstances. For the latter joy depends on choices. You can’t always control the first, but you can control the second. Guess which is the best. If you can’t be happy with what you have you won’t be happy when you get what you want, because you never stop wanting.
Here’s something you need to be aware of. The choice of the joy-finder isn’t, strictly speaking, a choice to be joyful. It is instead a choice to yield themselves to the Holy Spirit. Joy is not the product of human effort. It is one of the graces that make up the fruit of the Spirit. The joy He provides is present even when we are forced to do things that are not enjoyable. That’s why regardless of how bad things are we can rejoice in the Lord. Circumstances might be terrible, but Christ is always the same–wonderful.
It is right here that most people make a train wreck of their life. They are on the wrong track and a wreck is bound to happen. Their interest is in happiness, rather than holiness. They want a crown without a cross. Their desire is to gratify the flesh, rather than glorify the Lord. They want to pamper self, rather than please the Savior. Then they wonder why the cup of life is filled with bitter dregs. The more they seek merriment the more miserable they are. Such a life is both senseless and sinful. And in this we see the insanity of sinful man. He repeats himself over and over, doing the same thing again and again expecting different results. Not too smart!
It’s not until a man comes to himself that he comes to God. It is only then that he discovers the deepest desires of his heart— without even seeking after them! It is then that he is filled with wonder and overcome with amazement. To think that he has been running after things that cannot satisfy and from the only One who can fulfill the long-time longings of his heart shows what a fool he has been. So, what are you searching for? Remember, happiness is something that comes to you, not something you come to by chasing after it. Happiness happens when we stop stop seeking it and start seeking to please God.
