The United States of America was established as a sort of quasi-social experiment in the pursuit of happiness. From the Declaration of Independence we read:
We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
Happiness is not guaranteed in our life or country. The pursuit of it is. The gates of this pursuit are wide open to anyone. We can search for happiness anywhere, in anything, or anyone.
Sadly, though we’re free to pursue it, many Americans don’t find happiness. Studies have shown that people in the United States are considered the most depressed in the world.
There are a variety of factors why this is the case, but I believe it boils down to this one point: We’re pursuing the wrong thing. Happiness isn’t what we should pursue but rather is a byproduct of what we should be pursuing: Jesus.
We tend to look for happiness in money, possessions, status, and power. These things may provide a temporary feeling of happiness, but this happiness is temporal and short-lived.
The truth is that nothing created will ever be able to satisfy your internal hunger for happiness. The only person who can do that is the Creator.
God created us for his glory, and our hearts will remain dissatisfied until we are satisfied in him. As the Psalmist writes, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11).
Are you restless and dissatisfied with life? Your object of happiness may be misplaced. Trust in Jesus. Be with Jesus. It is through faith in him that we are filled with the fullness of joy.
Adapted from the sermon “The Rebel’s Guide to Joy,” part 1 of the ten-part 2007 sermon series of the same name.
