Thursday, March 6, 2008
Pursuit of Happiness vs. Pursuit of Joy
While driving down the road yesterday, I passed by a sign that caught my attention. The only word I remember seeing on the sign was PURSUIT! Immediately, my mind begin going a million miles a minute, thinking about this word. All around us, people are in pursuit of something. We pursue friendships and relationships with others. We constantly pursue higher education. Some pursue jobs just to help pay the bills, will others pursue their "dream jobs." We pursue bigger and nicer houses, cars, clothing, etc... We pursue, pursue, pursue things all day long, yet they are just earthly things. We do this because we think it will bring us happiness. Is there anything wrong with pursuing happiness through friendships, relationships, education, jobs, etc? No, but where is our heart when we are pursuing these things? Are we pursuing them to further God's Kingdom and to bring Him glory? Or, are we pursuing them for our own glory and happiness? Sure, they may bring happiness, but is it happiness that we should be pursuing? I've found that happiness does not last. It changes based on your circumstances. So, why do we pursue things that will make us happy only for a while, and not things that are more lasting? Why not pursue the one thing that brings JOY, real joy, not just happiness? Joy doesn't change or go away based on our circumstances, our JOY comes from our relationship with Christ. So, why not pursue Him? I find myself constantly desiring a closer relationship with Him, I find myself constantly wanting to do things to further His kingdom......yet I constantly find myself letting my pursuit of momentary happiness get in the way of complete JOY! Why? Because I'm sinful, we all are. But, I believe that God spoke to me through this sign today, calling me to evaluate the things I pursue.....calling me to be in pursuit of HIM......where I can find complete JOY!! What are you in pursuit of?
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2 comments:
Hello from one Buffaloe family to another! I enjoyed reading your post. I had to smile when I read you recently moved from Wake Forest, NC. We recently moved TO the Goldsboro area where my husband is now pastoring a church.
Thanks for the devotional. May God Bless your ministry according to his good will.
Wasn't that Pigeon Forge post a hoot? I didn't think so while we were stuck in that traffic, but I can laugh about it now. Despite that disaster, we love Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the Bible Bookstore outlet in Sevierville :o) and look forward to returning there soon.
We moved to NC from Upstate, SC (which we loved as you can tell from my blog) but we're originally from Texas. My husband is a descendent of the Rufus Buffaloe>Edward Buffaloe branch of the family. I can't believe how many "Buffaloe" (name a business) we've seen since we moved here. It's strange living in an area where our name seems almost common, but I like it.
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