3 Keys to Happiness (Key #3)

Well, here we are. Arriving at that third key to happiness. In my last two posts we have looked at the keys of Believe and Follow in our quest for happiness, or abundant life. Hopefully by now you are realizing that happiness according to God doesn't look like happiness the world offers. God's happiness reaches much deeper, bypassing much of the here-and-now "feel good" offers of the world. True happiness is experienced deep in a person's soul. It begins through faith in Christ, then grows by obedience to what God desires for your life.

So, what could the third key to happiness be?

Key #3: Invest in the Small

("The Way of Jesus")

True happiness is found in the small, seemingly insignificant moments of life. It is in the tiny, unusual crevices of life where we discover the immeasurable treasures of abundant life. Happiness is not sprawled out on the interstate in clear view of everyone passing by. No, abundant life is wrapped up in the small "packages" of everyday, ordinary encounters. Therefore, you have to search it out. This is what I call the way of Jesus.

What is this "way of Jesus?" It is the way he would invest in that which seemed unworthy of investment. Or the way he would describe things, such as the kingdom of God, in ways that are contrary to how we might see them. For example, Jesus said the kingdom of heaven was like a mustard seed. He said, "Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches." Is that how you would describe the kingdom of heaven? Probably not. You might start with something much larger, like a planet or star or anything BIG. Not Jesus.

Other ways he described the kingdom of heaven included yeast, hidden treasure, and a priceless pearl. The mustard seed and yeast, though small, produce a "harvest" much larger than their original size. While they may not be easy to spot, they have within their composition something that grows and reaps an enormous return. The hidden treasure and priceless pearl both must be sought out and searched for. They are so valuable that one would give up everything just to possess them. The way of Jesus not only notices the small, but challenges us to invest in the small, for it is in the little things that we ultimately find true happiness.

It would make sense that happiness is found by investing in the small. Are there many happy people in the world today? No. Are there many happy Christians? Unfortunately, not many. Why? Other than the first two keys to happiness I already mentioned, I believe few find happiness because they refuse to seek out God in the small corners of life. Everyone wants center stage. Bright lights, big theatre, big impact. Big deal is what I say. American Idol mentality has everyone believing that such fame produces happiness. Have you ever seen a happy person in Hollywood? Or have you seen a person who tries to look, act, and be like everyone else truly experience happiness? Of course not.

Oh, I also believe that not many are happy because Jesus said not many would find happiness, or abundant life.

Matthew 7:13-14 - "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Few find life. Few experience true happiness. Why? They keep looking for it in the big things of life. They drive down the "interstate" of their lives expecting happiness to just show up on every corner. But that's not even where happiness lives. It lives in the small, mundane, daily places of life. Happiness resides in the five minute conversation with the Starbucks employee brewing your coffee. It exists in the "thank you's" you toss toward your co-workers for the help they gave on your project. Happiness exists in the note you leave under your spouse's pillow that simply reads, "I love you." Happiness is shedding a joyful tear in the dark because you finally believe God loves you. Small is the gate and narrow the road...

Jesus set the example of finding happiness in the small by embracing "insignificance." Jesus never wrote a best selling novel. Jesus never traveled more than 200 miles from his hometown. Jesus never pastored a mega church. Jesus only had a handful of friends. Even his name was common, no more unique than John or Joe is in today's world. Jesus often retreated from crowds to places of solitude and quiet. Jesus, though he was the Son of God, did not seek the spotlight. He knew that happiness could only be experienced on the narrow road, the road he blazes.

The real question of whether or not you will experience happiness, or abundant life, is not Do you want to be happy? Everyone wants to be happy! The real question is Will you walk with Jesus on the narrow road? This question, while much more convicting and thought provoking, is the one you must answer to determine whether you experience abundant life or not. Personally, I choose to walk with Jesus. How about you?

Walking in happiness,

jonathan

P.S. My next post will be a sort of addendum to these 3 keys to happiness. I want to post an article on what Jesus had to say in defining what happiness really was. Coming soon...