We all dream of being happy. But what, exactly, is happiness?

Some years ago, I was drinking tea in a friend's kitchen when she said to me, "You know, when we bought this house, I thought my life was finally perfect. I have a great family, a good job, more possessions than I ever dreamed of having, this wonderful house…. So—I don’t understand—why am I still not happy?"

Most of us have said we’d be happy if we just had some more money, better health, a spouse, a child, a better job, more time… and the list goes on.

Except...

Even when we get whatever we thought would make us happy, we realize there’s just one more thing, and then one more… 

  • Why else would well-to-do people keep working 24/7 and never take time to enjoy what they have? 
  • Why do drop-dead gorgeous people go to any lengths to add to their beauty? 
  • Why do corporate workers seek promotion after promotion, never saying, “Good enough. I'll stay here where I’m comfortable.” 
  • And then there’s the compulsion to find the perfect match, and the marriage-go-round, with its constant lure of greener pastures and easy divorce. 

The truth is, it’s extremely rare for people to say they’re content with what they have

We’re the disposable generation, constantly searching for something new—clothes, make up, tools, equipment, music, food, books, ideas, people… And we have thousands, if not millions, of options to choose from. But… are we happy yet?

Unfortunately, material things can only make us happy for a short time. There’s an inevitable let-down. How many kids have persuaded their parents to buy that amazing new toy, only to discover it isn’t half as exciting as it looked in the ad?

How many “perfect” people have annoying flaws? There are always strings attached.

Even as Christians, we’re on the lookout for churches with a more exciting worship services, better kids’ programs, more dynamic preaching, softer pews…

Will finding these things make us happy?

No.

According to psychologist and author Dr. Larry Crabb, the underlying problem is that most of the things we expect to make us happy are transitory, while every person on earth was created with two deep, eternal needs.

  1. The need to be loved “as is.”
  2. The need to live lives that have meaning.
True, these needs can be partially met by other people and by the things we have and do, but nothing except a genuine relationship with God, where he talks to us and we talk to him, will ever satisfy our deepest longings.

Even among the people who call themselves Christians and attend a church service every week, many don’t actually have that kind of relationship with God.

They don’t know the joy that comes from knowing God loves them “as is,” and the contentment that comes from realizing he has a plan for their lives.

I'm happy to say that my friend found these things. And even when, a few years after our conversation, her life turned upside down, she still felt the peace and contentment only God can give. I trust you’ve found it, too. Or, if not, that you soon will.

If the church is going to accomplish the purpose God had in mind back when he first created the world, it’s absolutely vital that each and every member knows first-hand what it means to be loved by God and to live a meaningful life.

N. J. Lindquist


This post was published first in my column, As Each Part Does Its Work, in the Maranatha News, which I wrote from March, 2007, until September, 2010.

July 15, 2013

About the author 

N. J. Lindquist

N. J. Lindquist is the award-winning author of books, articles, short stories, and blog posts. She also edits and publishes the "Hot Apple Cider" anthologies. A former high school teacher, N. J. co-founded The Word Guild and teaches workshops for writers as well as speaking on various topics including creativity and leadership.

  • Ah yes, happiness that lasts, goes deep and is rooted in our relationship with our loving heavenly Father. To find such would be the ‘Pearl of great Price.’ another word for this is joy.

    What is that joy? It is the delight of the Father over obedient children. As we please Him we feel His pleasure and it feels like joy. It is hearing now the ‘Well done good and faithful servant.’ It makes life worth living.

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