True happiness

Are you happy? I mean really happy! Is happiness something that you strive for? Contrary to what is going on around us, people are generally happy in life. But if you ask them if their lives have meaning, that turns out to be a different story. You see happiness is something that we want, because it involves the fulfillment of the wants. You are happy if you have most of what you want; if you are fulfilled in your relationships; if you don’t have need of anything else. Happiness is therefore built on self-indulgence, when sought after alone. But meaning and purpose involves giving, because that’s the way God made us. Does it surprise you that you find more happiness when it is combined with giving? Giving of ourselves gives a life meaning, and meaning is more than just being happy. Happy people without life purpose, cannot be totally happy, unless of course that they are constantly feeding their want list. There is a reason we are told this in Scripture: “If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:1-4 Giving to others out of love, makes us complete. It’s the fabric of what holds marriages together, and it is what holds friendships together. It is the very essence of Christ, who gave the ultimate in giving – His very own life, for the benefit of you and me. If you want true happiness, that thing that comes with fullness of meaning in our lives, be a giver, even if it looks like those you are giving to, are only looking to receive so that they can be happy. Giving is more than money or possessions, but giving of time and the talents that God has given you. That is what holds the most meaning. So check out your happiness level. Are you happy because you have everything you want, or because you have been made content by the giving that comes from your heart. That’s true happiness. Jesus, I thank You for the purpose of life You have instilled within us. Help us to be focused outward toward others before self. Make our happiness one, not of the absence of fear, but of the presence of meaning in our lives. You are that meaning. Help us to become more like you, and less like us. Pastor Andy