“As long as you’re happy”.
It’s catchphrase that you’ve probably heard being thrown around at family functions or class reunions. More than being a catchphrase however it seems to be a trademark of modern day society.
Happiness has become the ultimate goal reflected in advertising, TV, Social Media and a variety of other avenues. Our culture is in the pursuit of happiness like never before. “Follow your dreams”, “do what makes you happy” and other short slogans are thrown at young people.
Despite the pull of culture Christianity stands in a stark contrast. It’s not that it denies happiness and pleasure but that self-gratification is certainly not the way to find true happiness. Nor is happiness the goal.
Christianity finds its roots in the gospel message of Jesus Christ who came not for an egotistical parade 2000 years ago, but came to serve mankind and give His life for the benefit of others. This in turn means Christians exist not to pursue happiness for themselves but to follow the model of Jesus and pursue the service of others.
Happiness is the by-product of serving others.
When we focus on our own needs they are only magnified though our lens of self-gratification. Our problems grow wings and claws which only entrap us. However, when we focus on the needs of others our own needs are kept in perspective and we find happiness in aiding our fellow human.
The Pacific Story
Nothing communicates this truth more than a recent visit to the pacific islands.
A few years ago I befriended a young man named Kali. He was our unofficial tour guide as I travelled with a missions team through his country. One night my wife woke and needed to use the toilet which was located to the rear of the building where we were staying. In order to get to it we had to walk outside and across a garden. As my wife opened the door to walk outside, Kali, who was sleeping nearby, leapt to his feet to safely escort her to the toilet block.
The next morning as the team had breakfast they all said Kali had been there to help them safely navigate to the toilet in the night.
That encounter exposed the lack of other-centeredness (as I call it) not only in our materialistic society but more so in me. I didn’t even know Kali had left his home to sleep nearby. I didn’t know that he lay awake in anticipation to serve us like that. He must have hardly slept all night.
the greater goal is to live for the benefit of another
That night Kali was reflecting Christ and therefore the intrinsic heart of Christianity; the greater goal is to live for the benefit of another. This means Christianity, when truthfully expressed, is always looking toward community needs both locally and overseas.
I don’t think it’s just a Christian value, it’s human, to care for one another, but in a materialistic society that measures success in terms of personal happiness I fear we are losing such a value. Christ is always a model and reminder to me that we live and breathe predominantly for the sake of someone else. Even now.
