The mere mention of the song "Happiness is the Truth" by Pharrell Williams should immediately
cause you to break out singing this wildly popular hit song. It's been
featured in the movie Despicable Me 2, commercials, singing competitions, news
shows, and more. I also think one of the reasons it was No. 1 on the
Billboard Hot 100 list for 10 consecutive weeks was that it touched a desire
God placed in every human soul: the desire to be happy.
Yet, you have probably been
taught as a Christ-follower that happiness and joy aren't the same.
If you mean happiness based on the "happenings" of life, then that is
true. However, when considered in Biblical context, I'm not sure they are
different. You may have also been taught you are not supposed to focus on
being happy but on being holy. Yet, the more I understand the New
Covenant, the more I'm convinced these aren't mutually exclusive. Why?
In one sense, holiness is simply living life the way God intended. It
would seem then that the more you do that, the happier you will be. Of
course, many have their own ideas of what makes them happy that are far from
God's ideas. Let's see if we can discover together in the story of
creation what God originally provided for your happiness.
- Himself: When
God breathed into Adam, He breathed Himself into him. His intent in
creating each of us has always been to be intimate with us by living
inside of us so He could love us and show us how wonderful He is. He
also intended to live through us to reveal Himself to others.
Genesis 2:7 describes this and is similar to Jesus breathing on the
disciples in John 20:22.
- Identity: When
God created Adam, Genesis 1:27 says, He created him in his own
image. This means you were created with a God-centered
identity. Though Adam's identity was stolen in Genesis 3, Jesus came
to give it back to all who believe in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Forgiveness: After
Adam and Even sinned, God came looking for them. Afterwards, He
banished them from the Garden but before He did, He killed animals and
covered them with their skins for clothing. This was the first
sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins and was pointing to the ultimate
sacrifice, Jesus Christ's death on the cross, which would provide past,
present and future forgiveness to all who believe. Genesis 3:21, Colossians
2:13, Hebrews 10:17-18
- Companionship: When
God said, "It is not good for man to be alone", He formed a wife
for Adam from his rib. However, this speaks of a truth larger than
just marriage. You were made to be in satisfying relationship with a group
of people starting with your spouse(unless God has called you to be
single). Married or single, you were made to enjoy human connection
on a deep level. Genesis 2:18-25
- Children: God
intended for most of us to have children so He could have others to live
in and through. In a fallen world, some have experienced anything
but happiness in raising their children. Yet, God originally
intended for them to be a blessing. Also, even those who don't have
children may often enjoy their family or friend's children. Genesis
1:28; Psalm 127:3
- Animals: God gave us
animals to take care of and to enjoy. If you've ever owned a dog or
cat, you know how special they can be to you. You also know how much
sorrow you feel when they die. Maybe that is why there will be
animals in the new heaven and earth that we are going to inhabit.
Genesis 2:19-20. Isaiah 11:6-9
- Creation: God
gave Adam a beautiful earth and breathtaking stars to gaze upon. Why
do you enjoy fall leaves, geological formations, mountains, the ocean, a
river, a sunset and the stars? It's because God gave those to us to
enjoy and to see Him reflected in it. That may be why many people
feel close to God when they are in nature. Genesis 1:1-19
- Work: God
gave Adam a specific job to do - to cultivate and keep the garden.
Genesis 2:15. According to Ephesians 2:10, you were uniquely
designed by God to do specific jobs which include good works in your time
on this earth. Do you know what you are designed to do? If
not, find out for a very small fee at www.placeministries.org.
It will help you understand why you keep being drawn to certain
activities.
- Food: God
created a smorgasbord of tasty nutritious food. Adam and Eve were
given carte blanche permission from God to eat any of the hundreds of
fruit and vegetables in the garden any time they wanted (except for
one). When the majority of the food we eat is a variety of God-made
food rather than man-made food, we will typically feel a lot better
physically and emotionally. Genesis 1:29; 2:16-17.
- Land/Home: In
Genesis 2:8, we are told, "The Lord God planted a garden toward the
east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had
formed." The desire to have your own home whether a
house, condo, cabin, apartment or tent, is not rooted in the American
dream. It comes from God. So much so, that the Scriptures
speak of God having a home for you in God's house after you die.
John 14:2-3
As you just read about all God
gave to provide for your happiness, are you enjoying them?
Here are a few other comments
as I conclude. Did you notice that this is a God-centered happiness
instead of a man-centered happiness? Unless you are enjoying 1 - 3 in
light of the New Covenant, the remainder will provide only fleeting
happiness. On the other hand, if 1 - 3 are in place, you can enjoy the
others more than you could ever imagine. You can enjoy God-centered
happiness without having all of 4-10 such as children or animals. The
world, your flesh and the devil have the goal of twisting all 10 of these to
make you miserable.
Believe it! It's the Gospel!
Live Free In Christ,
Mark Maulding, President and Founder
www.GraceLifeInternational.com All Content Copyright © 2014 Mark Maulding
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