The Pursuit of Happiness

The pursuit of happiness; everyone seeks it. Is that the purpose of mankind though? Some Christians might answer no because at its core, it can be very self-focused and one of the biggest principles of the Christian life is to deny self and to serve God and other people. Even in serving others one might point out self-interest in pleasing God or people because we get pleasure or happiness in their being pleased.

I once saw a Friends episode that brought this to light. (You can watch a clip here.) Phoebe and Joey were arguing over whether all of our actions as human beings were self-focused. Joey said yes and Phoebe repeatedly tried to prove him wrong to no avail. Joey argued that even helping others brought us happiness and thus was truly self-focused.

However when we realize that God not only made us for his enjoyment, but also for us to enjoy and find happiness in him as well then it doesn't really matter. As long as what we do is for his glory, it is what we were created to do. You see, we were made to love, enjoy and take pleasure in God. In fact we fail to give him glory and are left with a huge void when we don't. It is in our DNA to do so. Just as it is healthy for my son to take pleasure in me as his father, so it is right for us to not only serve God but to take pleasure in him.

This type of love relationship has been broken through sin. However when we trust in Jesus Christ, the Son of God who not only died for our sins but also is our bridge back to God, that relationship is restored.

Romans 5:5b

God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

God’s love poured out in us enables us to love him and others the way we were meant to. God knows what is best for his creation. We were made to love, enjoy and glorify God and we do that by loving others. When we feel fulfillment about doing so because it makes God smile that is always a good thing. We were made to be happy in God. It’s what makes us whole.

John Piper – “God Is Most Glorified In Us When We Are Most Satisfied In Him.”

Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.