“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have” (Philippians 1:29-30, NIV).

I was sitting in the airport, headed home after a prostate cancer investigator meeting, focused on the joy expressed by a young married couple who were laughing against the concourse wall. I then looked around at children playing and parents watching, smiles on their faces. The thought slipped into my mind, “Their happiness has nothing to do with Jesus. They are happy now with secular life. Why is it so important that we bring Him into their lives? Is it only for the grave and hard times that people need to know our Lord?”

Why should I struggle to be a witness for Christ when most people are happy for most of their lives without Him?

This question immediately brings to mind the words of Oswald Chambers: “Never have the idea that the worldling is not happy; he is perfectly happy, as thoroughly happy as a Christian. “

Jesus and his apostle Paul made it very clear that following the gospel is a struggle. So, why follow the gospel if happiness is not the goal?

1. First of all, the gospel is true, just like water is wet. Jesus was God in flesh who died and rose and saved me from my sins. I can’t take a shower and avoid getting wet. I cannot live as a human being and pretend that the Creator and Sustainer of my life is not real. That would be living a lie.
2. There is no deeper or more fulfilling relationship in this world than the one I have with Jesus. I would miss that if I settled for the world’s happiness.
3. My relationship with Christ saves me from myself. I know how much my self-centeredness destroys the true good in my life. I do not want to live that way, and only Christ can deliver me.
4. God’s presence in my life brings a joy that is deeper and more enduring than happiness dependent on circumstances. CS Lewis put it this way: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
5. And then there is heaven.

I look at the happiness of the world with gratitude for the happiness I’ve found on this side of the grave. We should seek it for ourselves and others. However, happiness must never be the measuring stick for truth. Happiness in this world is very good, but short-lived, and less than an inch deep.

Worldly happiness is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle of a glorious sunset with pieces missing. Joy in the Lord is like standing on the beach as the sun rises.

Dear Father,

Thank you for the experience we have of eternal life on this side of the grave.

Amen