It’s a popular song by Pharrell Williams, the teaser on the Today Show promises to reveal the secret to happiness right after the commercial break, the Domino’s ad claims happiness is a pizza, and the sermon today was about happiness. I’m happy and I do like pizza, but I’m pretty sure that’s not why I’m happy.
God does not promise happiness, but like any father I think he wants us to be happy. Ecclesiastes 3:12 “I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live.” I suspect its human nature for people to say “I’ll be happy when ___________.” You can fill in the blank. “When I’m in a relationship, when I get that promotion, when I get that new car, when I have more money, when I retire”.
“When” may never happen. I’ve learned that happiness is not a destination, but a journey. Why would you want to wait until “someday” to be happy when you can be happy today and every day?
It’s important to find your joy today, tomorrow may never come. The secret to happiness is not Extra Touch Tours (though I do think we can add some joy to the journey). The secret is not in houses, or people or circumstances; Joy is knowing you are a child of God and finding purpose in serving him. I think that is the “doing good while we live” formula for happiness in Ecclesiastes.
Sorry Domino’s, were going to have to disagree on the secret to happiness. Don’t wait for happiness in some distant circumstances grab your share every day!