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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

Oct 25, 2024

3 min read

4

53

What do you want most for your kids?


An impressive career? Financial security and stability? What about success in the sporting arena, or success in any arena for that matter?


What about happiness? I’ve heard it said often enough from loving parents that that is what they most desire for their children. That they would be happy. The sentiment is lovely, but we should be careful not to get caught in the fluff without examining that idea a little closer.


I do want my children to be happy. I love them and care about them deeply. I also know that the things that make them happy are not always the best for them. If I asked my son what would make him happy then he would tell me immediately that he would prefer to drop out of school, stay home all-day playing video games, and drinking soda. Knowing this would be his request, I have no doubt that it would make him happy, for a while. See we all have the common sense to see that what makes someone happy in the moment is not always the best for them long term.


Should everyone just pursue what makes them happy or do you draw a line somewhere?


Should people be allowed to pursue happiness at any cost? What if that happiness comes at the expense of others? How many families have been destroyed because a husband or wife decided to pursue a partner other than their spouse. It made them happy, didn’t it? What about those who have been caught up in substance abuse. That high made them happy, didn’t it? I have no doubt that if we let Hitler have what made him happy then the world would be an even darker place than it is now. How many people would have died for another’s happiness?


Should happiness even be our ultimate goal?


The truth is that all of us are prone to chasing after idols. Fame, fortune, or pleasure that we think will make us happy, and may even do so in the short term. Idols of course only disappoint in the long term because they are counterfeits to what we really seek. What we were made to seek. Relationship with God. God who is love and light and peace and truth. The God who loves us and saves us, Jesus Christ.


The pursuit of happiness can quickly make idols of career, success, family, and any other thing that takes the place of what should be our ultimate desire. Our happiness needs to be rooted in Christ, or we become untethered and blown about by every passing fancy. If we are to pursue things that make us happy and that do not harm others, then we need to know what harm is. Ultimately, harm comes from sin and unless we allow God to define this for us, our pursuit of happiness will have consequences. When happiness is the ultimate goal for everyone, and you begin to disconnect it from God, then the things that you are encouraged to pursue will shift and be redefined according to culture’s current palate. How often do we see even the church buying into this lie. Compromising on the truths of scripture so that people can be happy.


Do I want to be happy? Do I want my kids to be happy? Not if that happiness comes from an idol, from compromise, or from sin. If I truly love someone, if I am going to love as Jesus loves, then I will never settle for happiness found in the wrong places. In destructive places. Happiness is not the highest goal.


What do I ultimately want for me and for them?

The only person who can truly provide life, liberty and happiness.

Jesus Christ.


Oct 25, 2024

3 min read

4

53

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