A few weeks ago, my husband and I made reservations to a certain restaurant in the downtown area of a nearby city. We had only been there once before, but we knew what road it was on, and we were sure it was on the right-hand side. Imagine our frustration to drive through that downtown area three times, carefully searching each and every building and restaurant on the right-hand side of the road, only to be forced to leave town hungry.
We decided to try again this past week. This time, however, I went online to get the address. Imagine my surprise to learn from Google Maps that the restaurant was actually on the left-hand side of the road! And sure enough, this is exactly where we found the restaurant. We had a lovely meal, and we left completely satisfied.
Most of us live our lives in the pursuit of happiness. We think we know the source of happiness, for doesn’t it lie in having a special relationship with a special someone? Won’t we find it in good health? Won’t retirement bring it to us? After all, once retired we don’t have to put up with our stressful jobs and we have more time to spend with the grandkids, to travel, etc. Or surely prosperity will bring us happiness. Maybe we truly aren’t desiring to be “rich”, but wouldn’t a steady job bring us happiness? Or maybe a job that paid just a little more?
The list could go on. The point is, we tend to see that happiness will be ours if only…
Unfortunately it is often the case that when and if we receive these things, we find that they don’t bring us true happiness, for soon we find ourselves longing for something else we don’t have. Even though we have searched the “street” of life carefully, we don’t find that “restaurant” that will permanently fill our longing for happiness.
Perhaps it is time that we start looking on the other side of the street!
You see, we generally think that in receiving something, we will be happy; but in reality, it is the exact opposite. It isn’t by seeking after things for ourselves that we find happiness, it is in giving of ourselves to others! Happiness truly does lie on the other side of the street!
Surprised?
Isn’t this what the Bible teaches? It is in giving that we find happiness? Doesn’t Paul tell us that Jesus was quoted as saying, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:30)?
I’m not just talking about giving money here, although that is part of giving. I am talking about giving of our time, our talent and our resources. I’m talking about loving others so much that we forget about our own needs. I am talking about abandoning our own needs to God, and putting our focus on the needs of other people. After all, it isn’t about what we need or want. It’s about what we can do for other people!
And when we do this, we will find that happiness we seek. Just as my husband and I left that restaurant on the left-hand side of the road satisfied, we, too, will be satisfied in every aspect of our lives when we focus on giving instead of receiving.
But wait. This takes unselfish love. Is this kind of love even possible?
Absolutely. Consider this text: “And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Rom. 5:5)
In other words, when we give our hearts to God, when we are filled by His Spirit, that same Spirit of God begins to work love in our hearts. Isn’t love the first fruit of the Spirit that Paul lists for us? Gal. 5:22,23a: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
So what stops us from looking to the other side of the road for happiness?
So often I hear people say that they would love to do ______, but they don’t have enough _____. Those who love unconditionally will not worry about this. They will simply be a conduit of God’s love to the world. Doesn’t God promise that He is: “…able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8)?
Tired of having your search for happiness come up empty? Try looking to the other side of the road: Try reaching out to make others happy, for when you do, you will be filled beyond comprehension. Remember: You can’t find a restaurant on the right-hand side of the road, when it is truly on the left!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author — “Aboard God’s Train — A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer”, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart.