Proverbs 8:32. And now, O sons, listen to me [Wisdom]: blessed are those who keep my ways.
The word blessed here can also be translated as happy.
Are you happy?
Hopefully you are. God wants us to be happy. He wants us to flourish, and enjoy life. Thomas Jefferson said that we all have the inalienable right to “pursue happiness.” But that’s not what God says. God says “pursue wisdom” and when you do, you will find happiness.
Here’s one of the most important lessons every person must learn: If you chase after happiness you will never be happy. Why? Because we simply can’t make ourselves happy, and further, nothing except God can make us truly happy. Do you know why? Because nothing but God is infinite, eternal, and perfect. If your favorite professional sports team is making you happy, eventually that will end. If your career is bringing you satisfaction it is temporary. If the approval of others makes you happy, you will eventually let each other down.
For many of us, happiness has become another law. A standard to live up to. If you’re not happy, why not? What’s wrong with you? We spend all our time in the pursuit of happiness, posting pictures of how happy we are on our trip, or with our beautiful family, or working out at the gym. We tell our lovers that need space that we “just want them to be happy.”
This is why the direct pursuit of happiness never works. Trying to live up to any standard will always fail you. Why? Because you have to be completely self-centered in order to do it. Trying to be happy? Then likely you are focused on yourself. But focused on others? Then more likely you are happy.
As our Proverb for today says, happiness follows after keeping the ways of wisdom. It follows after the fear of the Lord and the well-ordered life. The order being the same one we sang about as children: Jesus – Others – You = JOY.
Jesus knew this order and he lived by it. For him, of course, it was the Father – others – himself. Jesus never pursued his own personal happiness or bliss. He never put himself first in any situation. He always turned the other cheek and walked the extra mile. All of his joy and happiness, his blessedness, came in doing the will of the Father.
In Christ true happiness (blessedness) is possible because he has removed the need for a self-centered life by removing the need to create our own happiness. As Christ becomes our satisfaction and the joy of the Lord’s salvation becomes our strength, then more and more we will feel the happiness that comes from knowing him and doing his will, not the happiness that we strive to create for ourselves.
You: How happy are you? In what ways do you chase after happiness?
You in Christ: Does your position in Christ bring you joy?
Christ in you: In what specific way might Christ be asking you to focus on others this week, rather than yourself?
Pray: Jesus, you are my source of happiness. You pursued me so that I might pursue you and your wisdom. May my place in you be my joy and strength. Amen.
To Live is Christ 