Our Earthly Happiness is not the Goal of God

March 31, 1976 ~ It was my twelfth birthday and I had eight of my best friends over for the celebration of my last year as a preteen. I received eight gifts that day but I only remember one, the iconic poster of Farrah Fawcett from my friend Todd. I think Farrah was my first crush and it lasted for about five years. She was beautiful, wealthy, and everyone in the western world knew her name. She must have been so happy!

Fast forward to November 1982. Michael Jackson releases his sixth studio album "Thriller" and the music video soon followed. It became the greatest selling album of all time, about 65 million copies. For you younger folks an album is a large vinyl (plastic) thing that spun around on a machine about the size of a toaster oven and played scratchy versions of the latest hits. Michael was bigger than life and we have seen that life played out in tabloids ever since. He had talent, looks (for a while), boat loads of money, and his own amusement park. He must have been so happy!

Two days ago both Farrah and Michael died and it seemed like the rest of the world's news came to a halt. The images of the "then" and the "now" were SO telling. The young, vibrant, attractive, smiling faces of the "then" were contrasted to the aged, tired, worn, and ill images of the "now". Not so much happiness now. Sunsets fade and so do we. Like grass, they were here then they were gone and so is my poster of Farrah.

I was talking to Ivor this week and reflecting on my last post about faith and the circumstances of our lives. I was sharing a comment that came from one of our readers. In a nut shell he saw my struggle with cancelled flights and lousy airline customer service as just one of a million other people's struggles on the same day and that God probably wasn't intimately involved in it per se. He didn't necessarily think that God was using the circumstances to test my faith or that my prayers were integral to the outcome. He said it like this: "There were lots of people in airports saying foxhole prayers trying to get back on schedule and minimize chaos in their lives. I just don't know if God is rewarding seats based on faith." He also shared that he didn't see God as being hyper-involved in peoples lives.

So what in the world does this have to do with Farrah and Michael? I think I can bring this around so hold on tight. Two main intertwined thoughts: Is God involved and what is his purpose? More specifically, if he is involved, what is his purpose in allowing and/or participating in our circumstances? Is his purpose to maximize our happiness? Does he reward faith and if so how? I want to go to the Word for the answers.

Moses was leading the Israelites through the desert and God was leading them with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. When they came to the Red Sea which was like the epitome of disrupted travel plans, God divided the sea so they could pass on dry land. Was God's purpose the "happiness" of the Israelites? Or was it to get them to the place he wanted them to be and to show them his glory. Was he involved in their lives and their circumstances? For sure!

The Apostle Paul shared his travel difficulties in 2 Corinthians. " . . . been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked." Does this sound like a Christian rewarded for his faith? Sounds more like he needs a refund from his travel agent.

Clearly God wasn't ultimately interested in Paul's earthly happiness. God promised Paul an eternity of perfect happiness and joy but NOT in this world. God sees the lives of every human being and sees how all our lives and all our circumstances are weaved together and he is involved in all of it, not as a divine puppeteer pulling all the strings but also not as a passive observer either. God wants to see all come to repentance and saving faith. Sometimes however he does reward faith (e.g. David dropping Goliath with a small stone or the healing of the centurion's servant) but often he has plans in our circumstance that may have more to do with God's work in someone else's life than our own. It's not all about us. We may never see the connection or God's purpose but for sure He has one. The Bible says that a sparrow doesn't fall from the sky without his knowing and all the hairs of our heads our numbered. That's a God who is involved in even the smallest details.

But friend, happiness in this life is always temporary and fleeting. Farrah's beauty faded, her marriages dissolved, and her health waned. Michael's esteem fell, his money disappeared, and his health also waned. Our earthly pursuit of happiness is usually a road away from God. It is most often in our weakness and our suffering that we are humbled and seek God. But God in his love has given us glimpses of heaven (a baby's smile, a sunset, a clear starry night sky, a piece of cherry cheesecake, or a lover's kiss) but in this world they will all fade.

Conclusion: God isn't interested in our earthly "happiness" although he does bless us with happiness and joy at times. He is interested in a restored relationship with us. Sadly, it's often happiness and success that are the greatest obstacles to our faith in God. Be assured that God is involved and aware of all of it. He directs more like a conductor leading an orchestra or a weaver creating a tapestry than a puppeteer controlling a puppet.

Sorry if this was a bit disjointed today but I hope that there was something in there you could grab a hold of!

Peace to you,

David