Black American Idols---Happiness, Idol or Not

Greetings Brethren,

I know it has been some time since I last posted.  It was not for a lack of trying. 

Today, I want continue our discourse about idols.  Specifically idols in the Black American community, and in the Black American church.  I don't wish to step on your toes, but if I do, you may want to take a moment to examine your thinking through a biblical lens. I have done so myself, and the more I think about my own thinking through the light of the word of God, I find myself lacking. 


It's funny how things work sometimes.  Twice this week I have spoken with different people who mentioned in the course of conversation that they do not believe that God wants them to be unhappy.  It was the first conversation that led me to post about this very topic.  It was the second conversation that confirmed it. 

The question on the floor is this: Is happiness an idol? 

I see many television preachers selling happiness on TV, and I often wonder what happens when people send in their money and they do not receive the happiness promised.  Why is happiness a goal for so many people?  Should we be so focused on our own happiness?  Does our preoccupation with being happy reveal a sort of selfishness within us?  

Remember, our working definition of idol is bascially anything that replaces God in our hearts and minds, or anything that we 'worship.' 

Many times I hear people say, if they just had this, or just had that then they would be happy.  That a certain job, or relationship, or car, or degree would be the thing that makes them happy.  And of course, if it makes you happy, then God must want it for your, because God wants us to be happy?  Right? 

Thus, we chase after the thing that will make us happy.  Then we get it.  Then we are happy.  Then the thing gets old, or boring, or broken in some way and we are no longer happy.  Then we fixate on something else to make us happy.  Sound familiar? 

Brothers and Sisters, if you are chasing after happiness, then happiness may be your idol.  And it is a false idol, like all other idols.  Like all other idols, happiness is temporary, and it cannot last into eternity. 

I do not believe that God is concerned at all with our happiness.  I believe that God is concerned with our salvation.  Question, if everyone was happy all of the time, why would we ever need God?  Why would we turn to God?  Why would we seek his face, or his grace, if we were always happy? 

When I think about my own salvation, it was due to me being very confused, very distraught, and very unhappy.  That unhappiness was the thing that drove me into the arms of my lord and savior.  To be completely transparent, when I am at my lowest points, I am closest to my savior.  Read the following scripture written by Paul in reference to a 'thorn' in his flesh that the lord would not take away.

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather boast in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.


  If Paul, who wrote most of the New Testatament, had an ailment that God refused to take away, so that God's power would be made perfect in Paul's suffering---what makes you think God wants you to be happy?    Did you know that almost every apostle was murdered for Jesus?  That they died horrible, terrible deaths, because they followed Christ?  Was God concerned with their happiness?    What about David?  David spent a large part of his life running from his enemies.  Was God concerned with his happiness?   Consider Job, who was a faithful servant.  Was God concerned with his happiness?    Brothers and Sisters, God wants us to believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, and spend eternity with Him.  If we must suffer for that to be accomplished then so be it.  It would be far better for us to suffer in this life than in the next, because if we suffer in the next life we will suffer for eternity.    I hope this is clear.

I hear too many Christians saying that God wants us to have life, and have it more abundantly.  YES,  HE DOES!  What do we think that means?  That means Jesus!  It means Jesus came so we can have access 24/7 to the life that he gives---eternal life with Him. Read John 10:10 again, and see if it makes sense now.  The life Jesus provides is Jesus, and communion with with Him, our savior.  It does not mean we are going to be happy.  It means that whatever is happening, we can always go to our High Priest with with it. 

 Lastly, I want to say this.  A few chapters later, in John 14:6, Jesus says this: I am the way the truth and the life.  You see, Jesus himself is what we need abundantly.  He works all things together for our good.  That is all things--happiness, sadness, poverty, prosperity, all things.  So just because things didn't work out the way we planned--we know that we are being led to a good place by a good Sheppard; even if the way is rough. 
 I can say more, in fact I think I will next time.  Until then, examine your thoughts, search the scriptures, and see what the word of God has to say about happiness.  Maybe you are in a place where God wants you because he can work with you in this place.  He can perfect you in this place.  Maybe your trial is necessary to make you weak so his strength is perfected in you.  Maybe we are too concerned with our own happiness and not concerned enough about His will.  Remember, Thy will be done, not My will be done.