“Don’t pursue happiness – create it.”

This was the wisdom from my fortune cookie last week. Those five words have made me stop and think. Because I spend a lot of time trying to pursue happiness.

I’ll get through this day of work, and then it’ll be the weekend and I can relax and have fun. Or…after this month comes my vacation and then I’ll be happy. Or even… once I save up and buy that new (whatever the case may be) then I will really have it all! 

In Ecclesiastes 1:14, Solomon refers to this as “chasing after the wind.” Why is it so easy to get caught up in seeking after happiness that we totally miss out on being happy RIGHT NOW?

The Avett Brothers speak to the pursuit of happiness in their song Untitled #4:

“Cause I’m happy being me the most

When I let what makes me happy go

And I finally learn what I need to know

I am happier with nothing.

I am happier with nothing.

I am happier with nothing.”

Happier with nothing? Maybe when we let go of the things that we think will make us happy, when we stop striving after them and find contentment with what we do have (especially all we have in Christ), we find true happiness. 

There is so much to appreciate if I just take the time to stop and look around me. There are so many blessings right in front of me. Why not enjoy them? And when I do, I bring positivity to people around me, too. Maybe that’s how we “create happiness.”

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

God, help me not to be so busy searching for happiness that I miss out on what you’ve given me to enjoy right now. Open my eyes to the blessings around me, and help me to remember that the gift of your Son is something to be happy about every single day.