The Happiness Hoax

Happiness.  It is a fundamental American value.  Yet, our relentless “pursuit of happiness,” often rings hollow and underwhelms, leaving us discontent.  Undeterred, we resolve to carry on with the happiness expedition.   Happiness must still be out there, somewhere.  When we find it, we will finally be… happy.

Is happiness the goal of a Christian?  Is it something we “pursue?”  No.  To search for happiness is to search for the effect, while possibly missing the cause.  It’s like searching for laughter without the relationship, or food without those who prepared it, or even daylight without the sun.  If we miss the source, we miss the value of its effect, easily taking for granted what is actually a gift.

We often pursue happiness to cover up the pain of life, to patch up the disappointments, failures, and loss.  It’s as if we put ourselves on the transplant list for emotions, hoping to simply swap sad for happy without dealing with the real problem.  Like giving a sucker to a child with a broken leg, the sweetness wears off when that first step is taken.

Interestingly enough, Jesus sets forth a challenging remedy to the happiness hoax.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”   – Matthew 5:4

“Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.”   – Matthew 10:39

 “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last and servant of all.” – Mark 9:35

In Lent we allow ourselves to witness the pain of life.  We mourn for a lost world and all those captured by its selfish dysfunction.  We realize that we must lose the life of self-gratitude in order to find the life fulfilled in Jesus.  Jesus teaches us that the full life is the humble life of service, choosing not to be first, but last.  It might sound depressing, but it sets the stage for something much greater than happiness – Joy.

Joy is deeper than mere happiness.  True joy is the security and fulfillment found only in Jesus.  Jesus entered the pain of life to completely fulfil our punishment for sin on the cross.  He gives us the free gift of forgiveness so that we can be sent out in love and truth on a similar mission to His.  We dedicate our lives to be a joyful blessing to others in the midst of the pain of life.  This joyful life foregoes simple happiness and in its place chooses to be a living sacrifice for the sake of others, as a witness declaring what Jesus did for us.

Strangely enough, such self-sacrifice produces joy.  Joy comes when we stick with people through difficult times.  Joy comes when we do the important mundane tasks with a smile.  Joy comes when we tell the truth in love and relationships are restored.  Yes, devoting ourselves to others isn’t easy, but it can also be fun!  This joy is real and enduring and there’s a curious feeling that often accompanies it – Happiness.