Are you happy?

We might all like to know what makes people happy, or contentedly joyful.

A long-term study on the lives of people, followed for over 70 years, has revealed many insights, including indicators about what makes people 'happy'. 

It turns out that 'happy' is the wrong word, because that sounds too much linked to events and self-indulgent excitement. The quality they were studying is much more to do with being content and enjoying good relationships and being involved in community activities. Significantly, wealth or poverty made little difference. At root, people who live their lives in relationship, with an outward focus, where they are making a difference for others, and who know and have known what it is to be loved, are those who live longer and are deeply joyful.

While all this is very interesting, it brings into sharp relief other studies which have shown that British children are among the most unhappy or depressed and sad in the world. What is it that these children are lacking, which leads to their attitudes and values? Clearly, too many homes and families are not the centres of love and life which we might imagine.

Jesus addresses these deeply significant issues in the Sermon on the Mount. 

Have we noticed how radical his words are, and how challenging to the consumerist values of our deeply troubled times? 

'“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.'  (Matthew 6.19-21) 

If we took these words seriously, we wouldn't get obsessed with buying ridiculous quantities of Christmas presents, would we?

Jesus concludes his comments about what people worry about - is it me or is it God's will - ' “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.' (Matthew 6.31-33)

Jesus calls us to live radically different lives, which might bring hope to the despairing, and wholesome relationships to those who are lost. Are we prepared to take this challenge? The people around us are dying for hope and life. Will we bring them these, rather than being obsessed with the latest gadgets?
Best wishes,

Richard