This morning while I was watching KARE11 news, I heard a very disturbing story.  Pew Research Center has done some research on happiness.  Read the following quote taken from the KARE11 website, "You’ve heard it before: Money doesn’t buy you happiness, but some new research might contradict that.  According to a Pew Research Center report done this year the percentage of people who declare themselves "very happy" goes up as the family income rises." (Click on the following link to see a video of the story:  http://www.kare11.com/news/local/mornings/sunrise_article.aspx?storyid=134769

This research is very disturbing.  I am not upset with KARE11 or the firm who did this research.  I am saddened by the fact people equate their happiness to money and possessions.  Other factors that made the list of happiness contributors include: job, family, health, and community involvement, to name a few.  I saw and heard nothing of faith.  Nothing.  God was no where to be seen.  I wonder why.  People I know would have faith on the list at the very least.  Most of those people would put faith in Jesus as their number one contributor of their happiness.  So I wonder where Jesus is.  But I shouldn’t be surprised at this omission.

We say we live in a Christian nation, but in reality we do not.  Our Pledge of Allegiance is under attack because of the phrase "under God".  The Ten Commandments are being removed from the public eye.  Family values are being re-written by judges and the government.  And other Christian symbols and saying are being closely scrutinized because they "discriminate" against non-Christians.  The ACLU says it is looking out for the freedoms and the liberties of all Americans, when actually they are attacking them.

The media bombards us everyday with advertisements that suggest we will not be truly happy unless we wear such and such a clothes lines or drive a certain car.  The simple life is never suggested and moderation is not even in the vocabulary of an advertising firm.  The so-called best jobs to have are all ones where the income in relatively high.

Things are really messed up.

Happiness goes up with income?  Talk to the many individuals who have won the lottery who are now broke.  I have heard story upon story of how their lives changed drastically when they vowed it would not.  Are they happy?  Maybe at the beginning, but now?  I wonder.

It seems absolutely silly to put so much stock into something that will not last.  Money comes and goes.  Possessions can be taken away in a flash.  Just ask anyone who has been a victim of a major storm or natural disaster.  Here one minute and gone the next.  What gets them through those difficult times?  For me it would be the fact that we have a loving God mourning with us.  We have a gracious God who will provide for our needs even though everything looks hopeless.  We have a merciful God who has already given everything we will ever need…Jesus Christ our Lord.

I wish I could do something.  I wish this research firm had talked to me or at least the people I know.  I want to world to hear that there are some people who equate happiness with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  I wish I could get the word out better.  It’s frustrating. 

Maybe I am just writing this for my own sake.  I know there are many people out there who will never read this.  I am not saying that I have "The Truth", but what I am saying is that there is a greater Truth out there that many people do not know about…Jesus.  What else do we need?  Luke 12:32-34 says this, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourself that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moths (or hurricanes or other natural disasters) destroys.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." 

Well, there you have it.  I guess we know where many people’s hearts reside.  The greatest treasure of all is Jesus Christ.  Place him on the top of your happiness contributors list and I promise you, you will never be disappointed.  For it is God’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Be happy…God loves you! Amen! -EDH-