Happiness.

We all want it, but few find it. Yet, many decisions we make in life are driven by this desire. So, what is true happiness? And does God even care about our happiness?

The Bible shows us that God cares deeply about our desire for happiness and shows us where true happiness can be found.

In the beginning, in Genesis, we see the world fresh and new. No sin, no pain, no turmoil. There we find Adam and Eve. Their entire role was to be fruitful and multiply, reigning over the earth in harmony and peace. Loving life and living the dream. This is how things should be – true happiness, as God intended. Sounds pretty good, right?

But there’s a problem. Looking at the world today, something’s clearly missing. Wars, economic uncertainty, broken families, and the perfection and beauty of what God created have been lost. It seems happiness is something we all desire, but few find it.  So, what happened?

Sin entered the world. As a result, we’ve become consumed with searching for happiness in all the wrong places. Is it a career? If only I had that next promotion, that next raise – then I’d be happy. What about a relationship? If only I meet “the one” – then I’d be happy. Is happiness in our “stuff’”? The newest technology, the faster car, a bigger house – then I’d be happy. Looking for happiness in things will never satisfy. In the end, we find ourselves just looking further.

Here is the good news, Jesus offers a solution. He came to offer us real life, abundant life, far more than anything we could discover on our own. A life of joy and meaning and purpose and, yes, happiness.

In what areas of your life are you searching for happiness and turning up empty? Start today by asking God to show you what true, lasting happiness looks like.

Adapted from a sermon by Senior Pastor George Wright Shandon Baptist Church, Columbia, S.C.