Christ Followers’ Joy

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

We live in a great country, arguably the greatest that has ever existed. I’ve traveled to over 50 countries and I know of none that have more potential for happiness than this one. It’s one of the foundational principles of this social experiment we call America. From its 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.

While that is a famous verse, please note that happiness in not guaranteed, the pursuit of it is. Pursuing happiness is wide open. Any person can search for happiness anywhere, in anything, or anyone, within the limits of the law. 

So why is it that so many people are unhappy? A 2004 study of 14 countries by the World Health Organization and Harvard Medical School stated that the U.S. tops the list for major depressive disorder or chronic minor depression over the course of a year. [See http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/15/depression-world-rate-forbeslife-cx_avd_0216depressed.html]

It’s interesting to me that we Americans are free to pursue happiness, but many will not find it. The article goes on to offer a few reasons why this is the case, but as a Christ follower, I think it boils down to a singular point — we are pursuing the wrong things. 

Many tend to look for happiness in money [and what money can buy], status, and power. While they may offer a temporary feeling of happiness, they are just that, TEMPORARY. The simple truth is that nothing will satisfy the inner man’s quest for happiness until he pursues his Creator. We were created for God’s glory, and our hearts will remain dissatisfied until we find our satisfaction in Him. 

If you find yourself restless, dissatisfied, unhappy in life, I strongly encourage you to remember the true object of happiness—Jesus! Trust Jesus. Abide in Jesus. When your faith is in Christ, when you abide in Him, fullness of joy is possible. 

You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11