Being Happy – Devotions for 5-29-25
Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
“Just do what makes you happy.” Or “I just want my kids to be happy.” Those are some of the statements that many people in the world today make. Happiness is put up as one of the key attainments of human life. That if someone is happy, as defined by their personal desires being met, then everything is good.
Unfortunately, there is no biblical precedence for that thinking. That thinking is purely of the world. Personal happiness is not the goal of life on this earth, nor should it be. My happiness can be nice, but what if I hurt others in the pursuit of my personal happiness? What if, in pursuing my happiness I miss God and ultimately miss heaven? What good will my personal happiness do for me, or for others, then?
A better goal in life, and one that will actually provide what those seeking personal happiness seek, is to do what Romans 12 teaches us, to seek to live for the Lord. Another way to put that is to seek to be and do what we were created by our loving creator to be and do. When we fulfill the purpose for which God made us, then we will be fulfilled in this life beyond what any search for personal happiness will ever be able to give. Living for God, instead of self, will fulfill our hearts and lives in the way that best satisfies us. Seeking to grab all we can in this life will actually end up leaving us empty. That is what King Solomon, one of the wisest people ever to live, says in the book of Ecclesiastes. That a great gift of God is to be able to do our work, the work for which He created us to do, and find joy in our work and what that work gives to us.
What are you seeking in this life? More money? More vacation time? A bigger house and fancier car? How about more friends, either face-to-face, or “friends” on some social media venue? Are you seeking more of the things that the world says will bring you satisfaction or are you seeking more of God? By finding more of God and having more of Him in your life, you will find that your heart is fuller than if you got the “happiness” that chasing the things of this world promises. True happiness is not found in more things, but in more of God in your life.
Romans 12 tells us not to be conformed to this world. That would be to become more like everyone else around you. Do not seek the things of this world, the things that it seems everyone else wants and it seems would make you happy. Instead, it says to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind.” The world has so ingrained in our minds that happiness should be our goal that we need a total change in our thinking, a transformation in our minds.
That transformation only comes through drawing nearer to God through prayer, reading the bible, Christian fellowship, and through “being still and knowing that He is God.” Godly soul transformation is needed and comes as we draw closer to God. When we disconnect our thinking from the pattern of this world, God can change it to better reflect His will and His ways. And when that happens, a fulfilled life is the result. That only comes from being the person He created you to be and doing the things He created you to do.
Who did God create you to be? Are you that person? What did God create you to do? Are you doing it? Are you truly happy? Is your soul full and good, satisfied by who you are and what you do? It will be when you are in the center of God’s will for your life.
Pastor Gary.
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