The Pursuit of Happiness

by Aleta Kay



     Before I get started with my actual blog I just want to apologize for not posting for a few days. We are on vacation in the mountains and don't have good signal. But don't give up on me. I'll post when I can and when I get back home I'll be posting on a daily basis again. My offering for today follows.

What does it mean to be happy? Is it just feeling good in the moment? Is it contentment? Is it that buoyancy of spirit like when you first fall in love? Those good feelings are temporary.

Joy, on the other hand, is a deep abiding sense of peace even in the midst of personal storms. It is present long after exuberance has faded away. Joy is knowing your family is safe, and that, come what may, God is in control. He will take care of you. Joy is knowing that God is with you in every circumstance. He has His best in mind for you, even when life gets hard.

Our Constitution guarantees us the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Although it doesn’t spell it out this way, that right was intended to be within the boundaries of legal endeavors. We must have laws or we have chaos. God has laws too. Joy, peace, contentment and happiness come when we obey those laws. Guilt, anguish, broken homes, rebellion, selfishness, etc. come from not obeying those laws.

Happiness may come with getting drunk or high. It may come from one-night stands and relationships with self-gratification as the goal. But it won’t last and these endeavors will lead to frustration and feelings of worthlessness.

God sees your pain. He sees the real you that you hide from the rest of the world. The good news is: He loves you. He sent His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for your sins (and mine). Jesus knew what was coming. He went to the cross willingly because of His great love for us. He wasn’t forced to do it. “For God so loved....put your name here.....that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” All you have to do is believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, rose again the third day as He said He would, ask God to forgive you for your sins, and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior. Then find a Bible-believing church to attend so you can grow in the knowledge of your new-found faith. Of course, I recommend my church first: Bethel Baptist Church in Lake Placid.