As I continue to read through the book, "Happiness" by Randy Alcorn, I will be sharing different parts of the book, as well as Scripture, and my own thoughts about true happiness.
We live in a consumer-oriented, materialistic,
hedonistic society bent on pleasing self. Most of us are accustomed to living with easy access to comforts, pleasures, and securities of life. Because of this, many people also believe that
happiness comes in accomplishments, in recognition, and in material possessions. We are told by the world and media that if we just acquire certain things, then we can be truly
happy and even secure. As a result, we seek to achieve happiness through these gains, much to our disappointment and regret. After years of striving for happiness, some even come to terms within themselves that happiness is not possible to achieve in this life.
The problem is most people’s definition of having joy(happiness) is feeling good all the time. But, that’s impossible! Even for those who are naturally upbeat and optimistic, that’s impossible. {Rick Warren}
Why do we anticipate greater happiness than this life seems to offer? Could it be that God has put this "longing" within us? C.S. Lewis compares this desire to "a yearning for a far-off country that's, at least temporarily, unreachable." (pg. 13)
But, we have to start somewhere more realistic —
and closer to Scripture. Solomon, author of Ecclesiastes, had much to say about happiness and his own experiences with trying to find it.
"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
(Ecclesiates 1:14)
"There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy upon humankind: those to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor, so that they lack nothing of all that they desire, yet God does not enable them to enjoy these things, but a stranger enjoys them. This is vanity; it is a grievous ill. A man may beget a hundred children, and live many years; but however many are the days of his years, if he does not enjoy life’s good things, or has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he. For it comes into vanity and goes into darkness, and in darkness its name is covered; moreover it has not seen the sun or known anything; yet it finds rest rather than he. Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good—do not all go to one place?
All human toil is for the mouth, yet the appetite is not satisfied. For what advantage have the wise over fools? And what do the poor have who know how to conduct themselves before the living? Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire; this also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what human beings are, and that they are not able to dispute with those who are stronger. The more words, the more vanity, so how is one the better? For who knows what is good for mortals while they live the few days of their vain life, which they pass like a shadow? For who can tell them what will be after them under the sun?"
(Ecclesiates 6)
Solomon does not leave us despondent
and in despair, though. He gives a realistic view of life, a view that
admits problems and shortcomings, that recognizes inequities and uncertainties, and leaves us thinking there is no joy to be found in life.
Yet, as one reads further in this book, he shares a view of life where hope and the possibility for some happiness do exist.
Solomon writes,
- “A man can do nothing better
than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work” (2:24).
- “There is
nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.(3:12–13).
- “So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than
to enjoy his work, because that is his lot” (3:22).
- “Then I realized that it is
good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his
toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him—for
this is his lot” (5:18).
- “So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing
is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy
will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under
the sun!” (8:15).
- “Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of
this meaningful life that God has given you under the sun—for this is your lot
in life” (9:8).
- “However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all....
Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in
the days of your youth” (11:9).
"Yes, all can experience limited joy, but when we know and love the Creator, our heartfelt delight is magnified. Any attempt to separate God from happiness is futile."(pg. 16)
Ultimately we learn from Solomon one thing, for certain: There is no true happiness without God who is our primary Source of happiness!!
Each week I will be sharing the blessings and gifts that God gives me in my life, whether it be one blessing or many blessings. I have done this over the years, off and on, but I want to make this a habit and eventually make it a part of every day.
#1778 - Quick recovery from the flu.(less than 24 hours)
#1779 - Safe travels through snow-covered roads.
#1780 - Heartfelt prayer and discussion time with my hubby.
#1781 - Morning ladies
Bible study group, gathering together again, after a break for the holidays.
#1782 - Reading about
how Abram believed God, who counted him as righteous. (Genesis 15:5) and that
we also are counted righteous if we believe. (Romans 4:5)
#1783 - A beautiful orange winter sunset.
#1784 - Long discussion time with a friend over coffee/tea.
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