Last night Drew and I took in the Cinematic Masterpiece, "Confessions of a Shopaholic". Okay - not bad when you paid $1 at the Redbox, but I kinda feel for anyone who took out a loan and went to see this flick at the theatre. The story line centered around Becky, a young journalist who has a shopping problem. She explains that shopping makes her feel fulfilled, excited and ultimately happy - until she gets the bills in. Then Becky feels like a failure, and so once again has the need to boost her emotional state with a shopping spree. And so the destructive behavior continues.
As I tried to relax enough for sleep to find me, I reflected on the obsession we have with wanting to be happy, and the lengths so many will go to feel that way, if only for a fleeting moment. Happiness, by default, is conditional. We are only happy when the right circumstances fall into place. And so racing after happiness is kind of like a puppy chasing its tail - he might catch it for a moment, but eventually will have to let go again. Searching for happiness is also inherently self-centered. What needs to happen in MY environment to make ME feel good about MYSELF.
Nehemiah 8:10 says: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Rather then focusing on the temporary fix of happiness, our energies would be more productive searching for a deeper, more permanent life filled with joy. As Christians, our hope is in the restorative life that comes with a relationship with Jesus Christ. Hope in Christ leads to joy in life. Happiness can come and go as quickly as a summer storm, but joy in our risen Savior is steadfast.
Today, my prayer is that rather than scramble with fleeting fancies, I would rest in the restorative joy of my risen Savior.
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