Happiness is...

There's a song I learned long, long ago that goes something like this: "Happiness is to know the Savior, living a life that's in His favor, showing His love with my behavior, Happiness is the Lord."

I thought of that tonight while I was reading the January issue of Real Simple magazine. These authors were waxing eloquent about feeling happiness, the science behind happiness, and the psychology of happiness. Their definitions of happiness were about feelings and fun and "being all you can be." All were vain, empty definitions and methods of finding happiness.

Then I was reminded of Solomon. That man looked at everything for happiness--women, riches, kingdoms, etc. And how does he sum up everything? "The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: Fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person." Solomon tried it all--he could truly say, "Been there; done that."-- and he came back to God every time.

This has been a rough week, so I'm glad God brought this article across my path. He reminded me that circumstances will not determine my happiness. I can only truly be happy when I am living the life He wants me to live. Only God can grant true happiness. As I go into Christmas break, I'm praying I don't get caught up in the commercialism of Christmas (though I do love it) but rather focus on the true happiness He has for me--the message that Jesus traded the glories of heaven for a humble life on earth just so He could die for sinners. But He didn't stay dead. He rose and intercedes for me in heaven.

A living God who beat death and hell and has good things planned for me if I follow Him--now that's happiness.