Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

The Declaration of Independence includes the famous words “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” describe the “inalienable rights” given by God to all men. The Declaration of Independence never said happiness was an inalienable right, but the inalienable right is the “pursuit of happiness.” People pursue happiness through money, possessions, self-medication, other people, accomplishments, pleasures, conquests, and domination. The pursuit of happiness often leaves people empty and unsatisfied. 1,600 years ago, Augustine, perhaps the most influential theologian in church history, wrote “Every man, whatsoever his condition, desires to be happy.” 300 years ago, French philosopher and mathematician, Blaise Pascal, wrote, “All men seek happiness. This is without exception.” C.S. Lewis wrote about the pursuing of happiness in his famous book, Mere Christianity. “Over the centuries, men have tried to invent some sort of happiness for themselves outside of God, apart from God. And out of that hopeless attempt has come nearly all that we call human history – greed, poverty, selfish ambition, war, prostitution, classes, brutal empires, slavery – the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” “The reason why it can never succeed in this? God made us; invented us as a man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. God designed humans to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other. That is why it is just no good asking God to make us happy in our own way, without bothering to have a relationship with Himself. God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” Lewis’ words echo Saint Augustine’s famous statements from Confessions. “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.” God created you and me to find rest in Him. When we rest in God, happiness and peace can be ours. King David said the same things this way “I will be happy because of you; God Most High, I will sing praises to your name.” Psalms 9:2 (NCV) God is the source of happiness. Don’t seek happiness from some other source. Other sources will only disappoint you. God, teach us to seek completeness in you! AMEN