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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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The Pursuit of Happiness
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| Many mistakenly see
the sensations of pleasure and fun as the same thing as happiness.
Sadly, consumptive sensations are over quickly and in repetition
require increasingly greater intensity. Chasing after this sort of
“happiness” can bring significant problems into one’s life as sensation
producing effects have the potential for addiction. One might glimpse happiness in the love a mother has for her new born child or a husband and father has for his family. The element of love can give us a little insight into this experience. First we need to differentiate real love from how the word is commonly used. The sensations associated with romantic anticipation, arousal, and speculations of intimacy often called love are better seen as sensations that fall into the pleasure and fun category, The bible gives a description of love (1Cor 13:4-7) that can be summed up as selflessness. Those who build families often see this because the construction of a family is often only accomplished by setting aside or subordinating self-interest. The Greeks used different words (eros, phileo and agape) to differentiate erotic, affectionate, and self-sacrificing love. Since English has just the single word, it can be confusing to know what is being referred to. The consumptive life often consists of self-stimulation and exploiting others. These actions often bring consequences that can make life difficult (Prov 23:31-35, Prov 24:33-34, Prov 29:22). Some go through life cycling between indulgences, consequences, recovery, boredom, and a return to indulgences. Boredom is interesting because it sounds like a state of dissatisfaction. However, when called “contentment” it takes on aspects of being satisfied. The difference is a mental perspective. One might see that the reduction of consumptive desires creates a satisfaction that can turn boredom into contentment (1Tim 6:6). For the Christian growing in love (selflessness) is expected (2Cor 5:15). This is growing in Christ-likeness (Eph 4:15). Jesus is the example of ultimate selflessness (John 10:15). The process of becoming more “giving” over being more “taking” is the difference between light and darkness. There is great joy in seeing someone choose light over darkness (Luke 15:7). The world and the flesh offer all sorts of opportunities to explore self indulgence pursue wealth, position, celebrity or power. Being able to see these in truth robs them of their attractiveness. Being able to see ourselves as complete in Christ (Col 2:10) opens the door to contentment and allows one to grow in satisfaction with the achievement of others. The transition to selflessness can seem strange at first, but with time becomes increasingly obvious. Many think that the path to happiness lies in getting enough stuff to feel secure. However, true happiness, like the peace of Christ, lies outside of circumstances and transcends them. One can be happy even in poverty and distress just as one can have the peace of Christ. More than the person who has accumulated enough stuff to feel secure, the person who trusts in Christ can feel secure in Christ no matter what happens in this life. He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he. - Proverbs 16:20 |
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Information about Christianity and the Christian life. |
Pictures and views of our farm | Some of our animals | See some of the old-fashioned crafts we are trying to relearn | ||