The Happiness Illusion
Last week in his Sunday School lesson, Chris Heinss talked about how even the unbeliever is searching for meaning in life. (Chris’s Sunday school class is fantastic and should not be missed.) I believe that this quest for meaning is a God-given innate desire meant to draw us to Him. Providentially, after Church, I happened on a short tract by Billy Graham entitled, “The Key to Personal Peace.” With that title, how could I not pick it up and read it? Billy Graham starts the tract by addressing the same point raised by Chris: We all have a little voice that keeps telling us, “We were not meant to be this way; we were meant for better things.”
Perhaps it’s a byproduct of my age, but I cannot help but notice how rapidly things are changing in our society/world. We are increasingly losing our traditions, our family values, and our sense of right and wrong— “If it makes me feel good, then you have no right to object to my behavior.” I cannot say it better than Billy Graham so I will quote Mr. Graham at length:
“Our materialistic world rushes on with its eternal quest for happiness. Yet the more knowledge we acquire, the less wisdom we seem to have. The more economic security we gain, the more bored and insecure we become. The more everyday pleasure we enjoy, the less satisfied and contented we are with life. We are like a restless sea, rushing in waves toward a little peace here and a little pleasure there but finding nowhere to stay that’s permanent and satisfying. Yet inside us a little voice keeps saying, “We were not meant to be this way; we were meant for better things.” We have a feeling that there must be a fountain somewhere that contains the happiness that makes life worthwhile. Sometimes we feel we have obtained it—only to find it elusive, leaving us disillusioned, bewildered, unhappy, and still searching.
There are two kinds of happiness. One comes to us when our circumstances are pleasant and we are relatively free from troubles. The problem is that this kind of happiness is fleeting and superficial. When circumstances change—as they inevitably do—this kind of happiness evaporates like the early morning fog in the heat of the midday sun. But there is another kind of happiness—the kind for which we all long and search. This second kind of happiness is a lasting inner joy and peace that survive any circumstance. It is a happiness that endures, no matter what comes our way. Oddly, it may even grow stronger in adversity.
The happiness for which our hearts ache is one undisturbed by success or failure, one which dwells deep within and gives inward peace and contentment, no matter what the surface problems may be. It’s the kind of happiness that stands in need of no outward stimuli. This is the kind of happiness we need. This is the happiness for which our souls cry out and search relentlessly. Is there any hope for this kind of happiness? Is there any way out of our dilemma? Can we really find personal peace? Yes! But only if we look in the right place.”
And where is that place? It is with the triune God and His word.
Peace—
Carter