Lent Day 7

I was recently asked the question, “What do you want most for your children?” and I heard one person reply that she wanted her children to be happy.

Happiness.
The pursuit of happiness.
Isn’t that what we all want?
What we all are striving for?
It would be almost un-American to say otherwise.

Then, someone, please tell me, why are we all so damn unhappy?

How is it that we pursue it, we buy it, we chase it, we corral it, we sacrifice for it and yet, it seems to elude us? We search for it in money, family, education, food, health, love, drugs, and yet, it seems to elude us.

It seems that absolutely nothing in this world can truly fill us up and make us happy.

Maybe that’s because we were not made for this world.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” Colossians 3:3

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Matthew 16: 24-26

I’m not saying that I don’t want my boys to be happy. But I don’t want the pursuit of happiness to lead them on the path of destruction.

Instead of happiness, I pray for them the true JOY and PEACE that is not found in this world.

It’s from above.