Dear Northside
People look for happiness in all kinds of places, especially as we approach Christmas. A good view, a day out with friends, time in nature. Those things can be really good. They give us a break, they lift our mood. Sometimes, they even feel like enough. But eventually the moment ends, the view fades, the feeling wears off. We’re left looking for the next thing to fill the gap. Even the best parts of life, nature, friendship, and adventure can’t give us lasting happiness because they were never meant to! So where do we find true happiness?
1 Peter 1:3 – 9
All of us want to be happy. But what causes happiness? The apostle Peter tells us here how to find true happiness, how to be ‘filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy’ (v.8).
In David Myers’ book, The Pursuit of Happiness, he concludes that happy people have three things: 1. An optimistic outlook; 2. High self-esteem, and 3. Close relationships.
Where do we find these? Peter tells us in today’s passage.
- An optimistic outlook (vv. 3–5)
What does the future hold for us? Peter praises God for the possibility of ‘new birth’ into a ‘living hope’ (v.3). Biblical hope is not hazy but certain, growing in strength year by year.
When we ‘hope it’ll be a nice day,’ we have no idea if it will be or not. But when the Bible speaks of hope, it speaks of certainty because this hope is based on the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which really did happen. Jesus Christ conquered death and is alive for eternity. Those who are born again through faith in Jesus Christ will do the same. Your future is entirely secure: you are ‘shielded by God’s power for eternity’ (v.5). This is a hope that far exceeds the hopes of this world.
Your heavenly inheritance is ‘stored up’ for you, reserved in your name (v.5) and guaranteed. God is watching over you, as he will do forever.
- High self-esteem (vv. 6–7)
The Old Testament prophesied that we would ‘walk with heads held high’ (Leviticus 26:13). How is this possible? First, because you are forgiven by ‘his great mercy’ (v.3). Life is not always easy. You may have to go through ‘various trials’ (v.6), but Peter writes that within and beyond the pain and suffering, there is cause for rejoicing.
Why? First, because of the relative brevity of your trials in contrast with eternity: Secondly, it is through these trials that your faith is refined (v.7) (as gold is refined by fire) and proved to be genuine, which ultimately will result in ‘praise, glory and honour.’
- Close relationships (vv. 8–9)
At the core of our being, there is a powerful longing for love and relationships.
Geri Halliwell has spoken often of her burning desire for fame, which, once fulfilled, turned into the terrible fear of losing it. Having achieved fame and success, she said, (speaking for many): ‘I just want to be happy… Yet, I feel really lonely, I want love in my life.’
Maybe you feel the same. You would love to ask Jesus all your unanswered questions. You can. You can know Him now and love Him now. The word used for love here implies a continual, regular activity – a personal daily relationship with the ascended Lord Jesus. This surely is the secret of happiness. This is the ultimate close relationship. An optimistic outlook and high self-esteem ultimately both stem from this.
God bless, Pastor Gary