“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”- Romans 14:17 NLT
Imagine you’re down to your last dollar with no hope of credit. You decide to withdraw the remaining money for food. At the point of withdrawal, you checked your account balance and suddenly realised you’d been credited with three thousand dollars! How would you feel: ecstatic, elated, or over the moon? However, as thrilling as that moment was, there’s still more to life than fleeting happiness.
Our anchor scripture tells us that there is more to life than these material things that bring temporary happiness. Yes, happiness is good, but when it becomes our life’s focus, we begin to live for the wrong things. Some people solely derive their happiness from wealth, fame, career, and relationships, and then they become depressed and their sense of worth crumbles when those things are no longer there. This is surely the wrong way to live.
To make happiness the core of our existence is to reduce what God has ordained us to do and be. If all we do is seek happiness, we will never commit to anything that requires sacrifice. Just look at the example of Jesus and the saints of old, who suffered for God’s sake (John 15:20, Hebrews 11:34–37).
These men didn’t live in pursuit of happiness; if anything, they suffered more pain and sadness than most of the world, as they received beatings even unto death (Mark 15:17–20, 2 Corinthians 11:23). However, they lived purposeful lives as ordained by God. Their lives show us that purpose is more synonymous with sacrifice than with happiness.
Being happy was never meant to be our life’s goal or mission because there is more to life than happiness! Contentment, pleasure, and satisfaction are all synonyms of happiness, but true contentment doesn’t come from material things; it comes from living a life of purpose. For us believers, that purpose is knowing Christ, living fully for Him, and making Him known (Philippians 3:10).
Purpose is found in Christ. He saved us not only to enjoy the blessings of salvation but also to serve Him in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives (Luke 1:74–75). The Kingdom life is not driven by carnal pleasures but by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). This is the life worth living: a life that matters in time and eternity.
So, dear believer, don’t build your life on the pursuit of happiness. Choose instead to pursue purpose in Christ. In doing so, you will find a deeper, lasting joy that the world cannot offer and circumstances cannot take away.
Bible Reading Plan: 2 Kings 12-14; Luke 2: 1-21