"It was right then that I started thinking about Thomas Jefferson on the Declaration of Independence and the part about our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. And I remember thinking how did he know to put the pursuit part in there?"
-Chris Gardener
The Pursuit of Happyness
Have you seen this movie? The Pursuit of Happyness? I reviewed it HERE on my blog. I've been thinking about it a lot lately. The "Pursuing Happyness" part. Maybe it's the job hunt that got me going.
See, I have this idea that my goal in life is to be happy. It's a good goal right?? I thought so. But, it's a tough one.
I'm smart enough to know that if I run around wildly trying to do everything that will make me happy, I'll probably end up miserable. Ultimately happiness isn't in how many books I'll read in my lifetime, or how many yummy dinners I cook, or how many shopping trips I take.
I like to do all of these things, it DOES make me happy to read a good book. But, it's a short lived happiness, it will last during the story, and if it's a really good book, the glow will stick around for a few days afterward. After that it will fade and only resurface in memories. "That was a good book." I might read it again, looking to go back to that happy place. But, it will never be that good again, never as good as the first time.
So, I've been thinking about continual happiness and wondering if it's really possible.
As a single young lady, it's easy to blame my discontent on my singleness. But, I strive not to do that. Of course, I wish for marriage. It's only natural. It's a good desire. But, it won't bring me continual happiness.
So, what kind of happiness should I be pursuing?? There's only one kind that will last forever, that won't fade with time.
Psalm 144:15 "Happy is that people whose God is the Lord."
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3 comments:
I loved this movie, too. It was overwhelmingly good, especially for movies today!
I've thought about the same thing, and have come to the conclusion that if I'm not happy/content in my situation now (which is really quite good), then how in the world could I live in a state of continual bliss once I was married with a few children? I have met moms who are in the position I often wish I was in, who are NOT that happy, and I wonder if they look at me and wish they were back where I was.
Which is why we need to draw our satisfaction and fullfilment from something outside our circumstances...
Great post, Rebecca! It's so true - I was thinking about it, and it seems to me that God's goal for us isn't necessarily to be happy (life is good and blissful, etc) but that we should produce much fruit of the Spirit. One of those fruits is joy. It is our strength. It gives us the strength to be longsuffering in the times of testing.
The abundance of fruit also comes in the midst of adversity - the pruning of the Father on our branches. It doesn't feel good, but if we submit to Him, He gives us joy.
Loved the movie. I seem to remember crying through part of it...:)
I've been thinking a lot lately on the topic of being happy...contented. As christians, life is certainly not going to be a bed of roses all the time. We're called to take up our cross and follow Christ. He does promise joy though. For me, it's much more beneficial to focus on Jesus then on my ever-changing emotions. This brings true joy.
Thanks for a great post!
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