Happiness Pursued

Are you happy at all times? Let me be frank right here. I’m not always happy. There are times happiness does not fit into my life, times when happiness is not in my dictionary of life. Why? That’s a good question. Because I don’t allow happiness to be a full part of my life, even when I’m a believer and great follower of the God who saved me. I’m human and I allow “attractions” of the world to distract me from happiness. Many men, if not all, go through such phases in life, only to realise that they are doing themselves a great “evil” and hurting themselves. Business may be doing far below expectations, marriage may be feeling rocky, and many other things cause unhappiness to crawl into our lives.

Happiness must be pursued at all times. And now you may be asking the question, how? Let’s take a look… Read Acts 3:1-13. These verses are amazing! Happiness exist most when self doesn’t. Does this make sense? Martin Luther King Jr said the following, which I read once, and I quote, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Most times happiness is not with us because of self. When we seek to pursue happiness, and seeking happiness for others around us, we feel happy. Happiness becomes a part of our lives again. Yes, being happy is when we are feeling happy for others too. Unfortunately, in this world we live in, it wants to take happiness away from us. Christianity can offer us three practices as prescribed in Acts; how to be true Christians. The first one is Community [Acts 3:1-2]. Where do we go to equip ourselves weekly? It is the church. The best place for this is in the house of God. We get prepared so that we can go and prepare others. We get equipped to equip others. This is one area of pursuing happiness.

Secondly, we have Character [Acts 3:6]. John and Peter did not have silver and gold but they had better; they had Jesus. When we live in Him and He lives in us, we have everything. His character starts to become our character. Pursuing happiness is so much easier. Happiness is knowing Jesus. Then happiness flows from us to others around us. Happiness just happens! Thirdly, and last for now, we have Cause [Acts 3:12-13]. We should live lives that are “others focused. Self should be removed and when we focus on those around us, happiness is present. To glorify Jesus is happiness! Therefore, pursue happiness at all times, making it stick like glue to our lives. How? Start by removing self from the equation of life.

Our cause on earth is to influence and touch the lives of others. This is pursuing true happiness. Happiness is Jesus with us and in us forever! Are you happy? Are you pursuing happiness at all? Then start with Jesus Christ. He is the way, the truth and the life. He is true happiness! Therefore, go forth and seek happiness for yourself and those around you. Start with Jesus! Amen.