By Martin Morrison
The United States Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776. It has in my opinion a rather strange phrase. The second paragraph of the first article contains the phrase, “….that all men are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights……that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not against happiness. In fact, I’m the last person to discourage any kind of happiness. However, it does seem to be a most peculiar right. It seems as odd as the right to good weather on your birthday. Or as some religious nutcase claimed that they had a right not to catch the virus!! It is odd, because a great deal of our happiness or misery depends on circumstances beyond our control.
Despite the obvious importance of the United States Declaration of Independence, the Bible rarely if ever uses the word happiness. Which probably means that the Bible does not see happiness as an inalienable right. But surely, you say that is the purpose of everyone! Surely, everyone has the right to be happy! Well, let’s see!
The Bible prefers the word joy or blessedness. Which is an entirely different matter. You see if happiness is totally dependent on circumstances outside of human control, then happiness will come and go at best. Life is too fragile, too arbitrary, too fraught with dangers. If you seek lasting happiness in this world you’re a fool. Apart from anything else, it will always elude you. Why? Well because this world is dysfunctional at best.
No, says Jesus in the beatitudes, ”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” Matthew 5:6. Very simply, “righteousness” is being right with God and living right with God. At first, this also seems rather odd. Jesus says, if you seek to be satisfied, it will elude you. But if you seek to be right with me and live right with me, then satisfaction or blessedness is a bye-product.
What a peculiar paradox. Despite the lofty promises of the US Declaration of Independence, if you seek after happiness, it will always evade your grasp. Like trying to hold water in your
fingers. Life will always be a disappointment. Always surprised by tears. But if you seek after righteousness, then blessedness or joy is the unexpected bonus. And obviously if your joy is not dependent on the circumstances of this world, but Christ, you will never be disappointed. Seek after happiness, and it will evade you. Seek after Jesus and joy cannot avoid you. Once again, the upside down Kingdom of Jesus.
For Further Reading:
Paul David Tripp, Forever: Why you can’t live without it (Amazon Kindle)
C S Lewis, Surpised by Joy. His early life and conversion (Amazon kindle)
Randy Alcorn, Happiness. (Amazon Kindle)