Are you happy? That's a pretty common question, right? Answering it, however, seems to be much more difficult. There are so many things that we must consider when answering. While I haven't done any extensive research (or really any research), it seems, from general observation, that the more people have, the less happy they are. Why is that? Is it the amount of time and effort that they had to put in to get the stuff? Is it the fear of losing the stuff? Is it the realization that all the stuff doesn't really deliver on the promise of happiness? We seem to get stuck in this cycle of wanting/needing the next thing in order to be happy. Have you noticed that an unhappy person always seems to have an answer as to what will make them happy. When they finally have ________, then they will be happy. Too often, however, even if they get whatever that thing is, they still aren't happy and it is the next thing that will truly make them happy.
While on a mission trip to Nicaragua several years ago, I was struck by the joy of the people we came into contact with. We were working in a small village where the homes were in worse shape then our garden/yard sheds, yet these people seemed content and even happy. Is it possible that it isn't our stuff or even our circumstances that bring happiness?
This topic has been heavy on my mind recently as I have been thinking about how many Christians (including myself) live their lives. Jesus says in John 10:10 that He has "come that they may have life and have it to the full", yet, so often we don't live as though that is true. Too often we live in fear or in apathy rather than in the abundant life that Christ offers to us. Why? Life is hard and life is messy and following Jesus doesn't change that, but it should change our response to it. What would happen if those professing faith in Jesus Christ lived in a way that proved that faith to be real? Not a life based on circumstances but a life of faith in the One who can overcome any circumstance. How would your life be different if you were to focus on Him and not on your circumstances?
Remember "The happiest people don't have the best of everything, they just make the best of everything".
If you want to read the previous "Life Lessons from a Sandwich Shop", you can find them here:
Lesson I
Lesson II
Lesson III
