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The pursuit of happiness and other ways we hurt ourselves.


I listen to this pastor near Dallas a lot. His name is Matt Chandler. He often says this thing that rings true like church bells.

"No one has caused you more harm than yourself"

Every day I wake up and look around at my life in amazement. The Lord's blessing knows no end. I've not earned it and quite to the contrary, I'm ill deserving of it. He's given me a wonderful wife and a healthy awesome son. He's blessed me with an employer that provides abundantly and I've never had a job that is so relaxed yet challenging. Sometimes I wonder when the bottom is going to fall out and then I repent.

Here's where I'm going: I didn't build this life, Jesus Christ did.

People often talk to me about how I'm living in a dream world believing in a God that probably isn't there. They operate as if they know, but I suspect its just hope, that God isn't there... How do I know that? Well first, because I was there. If you don't like the idea of the God of the bible there's no way you've got anything on what I was.

There just wasn't an intellectually satisfying alternative. They were all riddled with holes.

A fine example of cognitive dissonance is Richard Dawkins. I'm sure he's a smart man but he's probably the worst philosopher I've ever heard speak. Yet this man is touted as an intellectual giant. the guy simultaneously rips on Christianity with every ounce of venom he can muster all the while demonstrating absolutely no understanding of his target.

 I just don't get the animosity. If you really think we're just loons and you really believe that people basically make up their own reality why don't you just leave us alone?

Maybe because the heavens declare God's righteousness, for God himself is judge

The point is shooting for happiness is setting the bar too low. Its fleeting and momentary. Happiness is your junior high crush. It doesn't last. It won't last. One sentence and happiness is vaporized.

...but joy... now that is a different animal altogether.

Happiness is allergic to sorrow but joy is refined by sorrow like gold in a crucible. Burning out all of the impurities so they rise to the top leaving only the good below.

Joy, real joy, lasting joy, can only be found in Christ.

Turn to Him while there is yet time. Think of all the love you've missed out on.

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