"If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life..."

Are happiness and holiness connected?

The message of first and above all seeking God and his wisdom runs as a prominent thread from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And you may know the beautiful scripture in song, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all these things shall be added unto to. Alleluia!" But what are "all these things" that will be "added" to us? And will they make us happy?

When you think of genuine happiness, what are your thoughts? Being wealthy, popular and beautiful? Or being content, at peace and in an active, right relationship with Jesus Christ? Yes, we all think from time to time how more money or more "clout" or more, more, more might make it easier to be happy (admit it :-). But aren't those just distractions from what really matters? And don't those distractions (money, busyness, envy, selfishness) become what actually make us UN-happy! We don't need to worry and fret about things--we need to focus on loving God and righteous living--and God will supply all of our other needs just like the song says.

There is an early 1960ish pop song that goes: "If you wanna be happy for the rest of your life don't make a pretty a woman your wife. So from my personal point of view get an ugly girl to marry you!" Funny? Not really. Crude and insulting? Of course. But the point hidden in there (you really have to look hard!) is that we concentrate most of the time on what we think we want, deserve, and believe to be just the thing that will make us happy. While in reality, we are surprised to have abundant joy when we merely change our priorities, and focus our energies in a different direction from what the world says we should do.

And that different direction is holiness.

So the question then becomes: Can you handle holiness? (No, I'm not suggesting that men who marry ugly girls are more holy than those who marry pretty ones! And I can see it now...I'm in big trouble for using that song! But admit it...it has shock value!) Where was I? Oh, yes...can you handle holiness? Because it is to a holy life and way of living that God is calling us.

Holy, holy, holy; Lord, God Almighty.

All thy works shall praise Thy name in earth and sky and sea.

Take time to be holy; speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always and feed on His Word.

Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak;

Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.

Happy the home where Jesus' name is sweet to every ear;

where children early speak his fame and parents hold him dear.

Happy the home where prayer is heard and praise is wont to rise;

where parents love the sacred Word and all its wisdom prize.

Happy day, happy day; when Jesus washed my sins away.

He taught me how to watch and pray and live rejoicing every day.

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee; God of glory, Lord of love.

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness, drive the dark of doubt away.

Giver of immortal gladness, fill us with the light of day.

Thou are giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living, ocean depth of happy rest!

Thou our Father, Christ our brother, all who live in love are thine;

Teach us how to love each other, lift us to the joy divine.

Thank God for the hymnwriters/poets of songs such as these that echo what the Bible says about true happiness coming from living lives that imitate our holy God. Scripture such as:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Romans 14: 17 - 18

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. Ephesians 1:4

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Ephesians 5:3

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation...[ Rules for Holy Living ] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God...Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Colossians 1:22, 3: 1, 12

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. 1 Thessalonians 4:7

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Psalm 5: 11

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul. Psalm 94: 19

Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. Psalm 119:111


I challenge you to continue to search the Bible for more examples of the joy and happiness that comes from pursuing holy living as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Read of the Fruit of the Spirit, the Beatitudes, the Psalms, Prayers of David (1 Chronicles 17: 16 - 27; 1 Chronicles 29: 10 - 20).

So happiness and holiness ARE connected--when we pursue the right things. What are you seeking? What do you want more of? Are you ready to say "Yes" to what matters?

• Yes, I want more, more, more...more of Him.
• Yes, I want beauty...the beauty of His holiness and love.
• Yes, I want abundance...abundant joy.
• Yes, I want to be busy...busy preparing for active and true worship, busy leading a disciplined life of Bible study and prayer, busy helping and serving others in need, and busy witnessing to others (family, friends, strangers) about finding deep fulfillment and happiness through our relationship with Christ--no matter what comes our way.

It's really very clear...and very simple, isn't it?