There has been a lot of discussion on Social Media about – HAPPINESS.  Whatever makes you happy, you should be able to do and no one has the right to judge you.  You have already heard my rant about judgment, so I won’t go there (If you have not, just ask me – and stand back).  Do we really have the right to make ourselves happy?  Oh sure the Preamble of the United States Constitution affirms that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” are chief among the inalienable rights given to us by our Creator.  Let’s take a look at this…..

Happiness is not the inalienable right.  Nope.  It’s the PURSUIT of happiness.  Okay Bill for a guy who hates semantics aren’t you splitting a pretty fine hair here?  I don’t think so.  There is a huge difference between “I have the right to be happy therefore the government or someone else needs to see to that I am happy” and “I have the right to see if I can somehow secure happiness.”  No one is going to give you happiness, but you have every right to search for it.

Now let’s turn our attention to our Creator.  At the risk of sounding like my dad:  “will someone show me where it is written (In the Bible):  “Thus saith the Lord, God of Hosts; ‘Yea verily I will maketh thou happy.’”  Or words to that effect.  I’ll wait………

…no?  Is this thing on?  Bueller?  Bueller?

What does the Bible say?  Well among other wonderful things it tells us that we should not focus our attentions on ourselves, but first on the needs of others. (Php 2:3)  Also check Ro 12:10, 1Pe 2:17, I could go on, but you get it.  Okay one more:   To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;  not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.       1 Peter 3:8-9 (NASB)

            If, you really want happiness (not just the pursuit of happiness), Jesus says do what you can to make others happy.  I am pretty sure He knows what He is talking about.