Title: True Joy, Lasting Happiness

Date: 2009-01-25

Reference: Mark 2: 18-20

We began this month, a few weeks ago, by wishing one another A Happy New Year. God willing, each of us here will be wished A Happy Birthday at some point this year. Many of us grew up watching Roy Rodgers sing about Happy Trails each week. Our government attempts to insure our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We spend a good deal of time thinking about, and pursuing happiness.

We would all like to be happy. Sometimes we’re not clear as to what real, lasting happiness is or of its source. The Duchess of Windsor was once asked her secret of happiness. She replied: “Fill what’s empty. Empty what’s full. And scratch where it itches.” W.C. Fields used to say: “I believe in happiness. I think you should smile the first thing in the morning, and get it over with.” We’ve been taking pictures for our church directory. When the finished product comes out most of us will be smiling in our photographs. We try to present a happy pose, whether or not we are really happy.

A few years ago a University Professor developed a happiness measurement, consisting of five statements. They were: My life is very close to ideal. The conditions of my life are excellent. I am completely satisfied with life so far. I have obtained the important things I want in my life. If I could live my life over, I would change nothing. Depending on how one rated the statements from 0 to 6, one could learn if he or she was extremely happy, very happy, somewhat happy, somewhat unhappy, very unhappy or extremely unhappy. The professor believed results might vary a bit from day to day, but the answers given would give a fairly accurate read on one’s happiness level.

The Bible has much to say about being happy. Happy is the person who is kind to the poor. (Prov. 14:21) Happy is the person who trusts the Lord. (Prov. 16:20.

Happy is the person who keeps the law. (Prov. 29:18. Happy is the person who takes refuge in God. Happy the people whose God is the Lord. (Ps. 144:15) After washing his disciple’s feet, Jesus spoke with them about helping others. He said: “Now that you know these things, you will be happy if you do them.” Peter wrote that even suffering can lead to happiness, provided we are suffering for the right thing. (I Peter 3:14)

King Solomon said he tried wine, women, and song in his search for happiness in life. He said: “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired. I refused myself nothing, no pleasure. And” he said, “happiness eluded me.” He said: “It’s all vanity and chasing after the wind.” Years later a much wiser, more experienced King Solomon wrote: “If you want to be truly happy, respect God and keep His commandments.” (Ecc. 12:13)

A question today is: “Are you truly happy?” How many truly happy people do you know? Of your family, friends, classmates, colleagues at work, neighbors, fellow church members, how many are really happy campers? Demographic researchers tell us most Americans are not overly happy or satisfied. Many would fit into the somewhat or occasionally happy category, and many would actually describe themselves as being unhappy.

The quality of life in America has risen significantly in the last sixty years but not the number of persons who consider themselves very happy. What does it take to make us happy? A decent job? Enough money? A nice home? A vacation? Good health? A meaningful relationship? Time with friends?

I continue to believe so many are not happy because we are seeking happiness in all the wrong places. The world says success, money, good looks, intelligence, possessions all are capable of producing true lasting happiness. The world says we can purchase happiness like any other valuable commodity. Experience teaches this is just not the case. In the world, happiness often depends on happenings. If circumstances are encouraging and people are kind, and things are going our way, then we are happy. Christian happiness, which is Joy, is independent of both circumstances and people. The most joyful Epistle in the New Testament is the book of Philippians, written by Paul. Paul wrote from prison as he faced the possibility of being martyred for his faith.

We were created for a friendship, a personal relationship with God.

Our lasting happiness depends upon accepting that relationship with God who loves us. When we come to know God personally, we have hope, and our lives have purpose and meaning. God intended for us to experience true happiness and deep joy in this life. Again that comes from a personal relationship with God. Joy is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts. Worldly happiness is dependent upon things going our way. The happiness and joy described in the Bible is the result of the Holy Spirit living in our hearts.

The Spirit teaches us much about happiness. In today’s Scripture lesson the Pharisees wanted to know why Jesus and His disciples were so happy? Why they seemed to always be having a good time and enjoying themselves. What did they have to laugh about? They compared Jesus and the Disciples to John the Baptist and his followers.

John kept to himself and never seemed to enjoy himself.

Jesus accepted invitations to meals, weddings, parties, and social gatherings. He really enjoyed being with people, and judging from the crowds of people who followed him people enjoyed being with him.

Jesus made it clear from the beginning: “I came to bring salvation to sinners and I came to bring gladness not sadness.” Religion in Jesus’ day wasn’t so much fun.

Lots of rules and regulations. Jesus taught about a relationship with God and not rules. He said life should be like a wedding feast and not a funeral. He said as long as I am with the people they should be happy, just as people are happy to be with the bridegroom.

Jesus told people to take time to appreciate the many small gifts of God. An author once wrote: “People don’t cling to life in order to make another million dollars or to gain fame. They cling to life because all of a sudden they understand with blinding clarity that it doesn’t get a whole lot better than a butterfly on a lilac bush.” The beauty of a sunrise, sunset, fresh air, snow on trees, simple pleasures like a cup of coffee with a friend. a quiet walk with a spouse. A nice meal or greeting card in the mail. When we learn to appreciate the many small gifts from God that come our way each and every day we w3ill learn to be happier persons.

Happy persons are grateful persons. I love the story of an old mountain woman who had chiseled a very simple epitaph on her husband’s grave stone. It said simply: “He always appreciated.” I have always encouraged persons to write down at least five things for which they are grateful in a daily or weekly prayer journal. When we are intentional about thanking God we are happier and healthier, less stressed and more optimistic. Grateful people are also more likely to help others.

Many of the things for which we are grateful are the small overlooked blessings from God that allow us to enjoy life and to be happy people.

By now we know there will be difficult moments in life. Understanding that will bring happiness. The Bible says heaven is a place of pure joy and happiness and absolutely no sorrow. Hell is a place of sorrow and no joy. This present life is a mingling of the two. The fact that Jesus, the Apostles and many others could have joy in the midst of sorrow is proof we can experience joy as well. A happy person knows storms, while very real, never last. In life we may find ourselves overwhelmed but we will never find ourselves alone. We can endure the worst of times and come out happy if we are depending on God for the help we need.

Happy persons focus on a vertical relationship. Life gets out of balance when we focus on the horizontal only and don’t look up to God. A vertical look reminds us God is in charge and that is always enough. We are saved for eternity. Jesus Christ died for our sins and calls each of us friend. We don’t need to worry because God is in control.

I’ve told you before how I invite God to be a part of life each and every day before I do anything else. My prayer each morning is: “Lord please come into my life and stay with me. Help me have a good day. Be with me through anything I might face this day. And please help me be attentive and not miss any of the many small blessings you have for me this day. I also ask God to take care of those I love.

Again, happiness is a by product of a life that is lived in the Will of God. When we enjoy the presence of God’s Spirit we are enjoying happiness. We do know happiness is not always because of ideal circumstances in life.

Paul did not find joy and happiness in ideal circumstances. Paul found his joy in ministry and in winning others to Christ.

Many people today are slaves of possessions, riches, glory and as a result do not experience real Christian Joy. The happiness of the world is temporary and artificial. When the moment is gone people are left with even greater weakness. Christian joy and happiness comes from God and is real and lasting. God doesn’t promise joy and happiness in place of sorrow. God’s joy comes in the midst of sorrow It is not a substitution but a transformation. This is the Happiness we week after. Remember, the road to happiness is always under construction. Some pursue happiness in life, and some create it.