Everybody wants to be happy. Before some self-righteous ascetic tries to make you feel guilty for being happy, remember Scripture talks a lot about it . . .
Genesis 30:13 – Leah was happy at the birth of her second child Asher.
Psalm 137:8 – The Israelites are happy because Babylon is getting beat up on.
Esther 5:9 – Haman was happy because he found favor in the eyes of the king.
Psalm 113:9 – A barren woman was happy because she became a mother.
2 Corinthians 7:9 – Paul was happy as he watched the sorrow of the Corinthian believers lead to repentance.
What’s common among all these? Happiness shows up when circumstances are good. But what about times when things are just OK . . . when there’s nothing to fire you up?
Check out the first few lines of Pharrell William’s hit song “Happy,” the top song of 2014, selling 13.9 million units . . .
It might seem crazy what I’m about to say
Sunshine she’s here, you can take away
I’m a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don’t care baby by the way
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I’m happy
Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna’ do
Here come bad news talking this and that
Yeah, give me all you got, don’t hold back
Yeah, well I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine
Yeah, no offense to you don’t waste your time
Here’s why
Because I’m happy . . .
Now I can find a lot wrong with the theology behind some of these phrases, like “happiness is the truth.” That’s a big bite! As Jesus-followers, we know what Truth really is and we know He is the only true source of long-term joy and happiness. But there’s something to be learned here . . . happiness isn’t dependent on the sunshine. Most of the time, it’s not even dependent on your circumstances. It’s a choice you can make. “Here come bad news . . . I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine. Yeah, no offense to you don’t waste your time. Here’s why. Because I’m happy!”
I believe Jesus-followers should be the happiest people on earth. When we say “I should probably warn you I’ll be just fine,” we mean it because we have faith in a loving Heavenly Father Who’s providing for our long-term safety, security and yes, happiness. We can believe God and relax in His love or we can kill (or at least postpone) happiness by thinking things like “If I could just ________.” or “If I only had ________.” There will always be something you don’t have or can’t do, but happiness rides on contentment with where you are and what you have right now.
If you have a few minutes to spare, check out 24hoursofhappy.com and watch people dance and sing along to Williams’ happy little tune. Then, try it yourself. (I like Magic Johnson at 5:36 am, the lady in the wheelchair at 9:28 am, and especially the mature ladies at 11:36 am).
Question: Are people drawn to your faith because they’re curious about your source of happiness? If not, what do you need to do to change that?
