We have been deluded! Our national constitution states we have a right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Please notice it states the right to… pursue happiness, not a right to happiness. No earthly person or government has the power to grant, create, guarantee, or have any authority over happiness. The most critical factor in experiencing happiness is the path taken to it.
Since happiness is undefined, there are unscored millions of personal definitions that influence the path taken to experience it. Thomas Jefferson took the phrase from John Locke and incorporated it into our Constitution. Some suggest he used the word happiness as a euphemism for property or wealth. Since then, others have related it to relationships, a sense of well-being, or wonderfully memorable experiences. Each definition requires a different, complex road map.
If happiness is something more enduring or sustainable, somewhere along the road it will require surrendering or sacrificing something valuable to you. It is the surrender factor that expresses value for whatever you envision as happiness. Jesus said, If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it (Matthew 10:39, NLT2). He also asked what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? (Mark 8:36, NLT2).
The surrender factor is hard because it involves laying aside our right to independence, which our culture has led us to believe is the path to happiness. I want to urge you to take this surrender factor seriously because only through surrendering do you find authentic freedom from anything or anyone controlling you. Surrender is a marker on the road to true life and liberty. Refusing to take that step would bring your progress to an end. The surrender of our preferences precedes the abundant life as Jesus modeled for us.
After 25 years of waiting, Abraham received his promised son Isaac. His son was his greatest delight, his heart’s idol. God then made the most agonizing request of Abraham, to surrender his prized possession as a sacrifice to God. (Genesis 22) After Abraham surrendered his son in his heart, God spared Isaacs’ life and they walked home together. From this time forward, Abraham was free from all earthly bondage or relationships. God was now His closest friend. Abraham now knew what Jesus later said was absolutely true. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it (Matthew 10:39, NLT2).
Those things we falsely believe will bring us happiness, may temporarily do so. The Spirit inspired Paul to clarify that delusion by writing as long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end (Romans 6:20-21, MSG). The strongest sense of well-being infused with hope comes by surrendering your rights, family, possessions, dreams, and achievements to God. Trusting Him to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28) is the secret to living the best life possible on this earth and forever.