The Pursuit of Happiness

My son and I had an interesting discussion about the pursuit of happiness yesterday that made me realize how messed up the American dream is. If life were all about each person's individual pursuit of happiness, there would be no one who is truly happy. Because happiness is not a real tangible thing and the minute you think you have achieved it, it shifts and goes away. You could spend your whole life pursuing happiness and leave destruction in your wake...all the while never achieving anything at all.

My son's comment was that life was all about the pursuit of happiness. Which, when questioned he did not really believe. But it was interesting to talk about with him - someone whose life has been drastically injured due to someone else's pursuit of happiness.

I wonder if his father knows how many lives were affected by his choice to pursue his own happiness. To "choose himself for once" as he puts it. To live so selfishly.

I have friends who went to marriage counseling because of what he did. I have a friend who almost called off her wedding. I know of those who left the church because he was in leadership. I know men who were shattered due to his choice. Who were left questioning his "mentorship" which was based on lies.

And my kids.

They had their lives turned upside down. First they are devastated to find out they are moving to Texas. Then after they have been convinced that this will be good for their family, all of a sudden their father is gone. And they don't have a home. They don't know what their future holds. And they don't know what happened. And they are angry and sad and confused. And they feel lied to and betrayed from both of their parents who promised to never get divorced.

All in the pursuit of happiness.

This is what we embrace in America? This selfishness that destroys?

I would much rather base my life on the pursuit of God. He does not promise that it will be easy. (and I feel pretty qualified to say that at this point) He does not promise that it will be happy.

But He promises to walk with me. He promises to comfort me and be my strength when I have none. He promises that someday I will not have to live on this earth full of trouble anymore.
I would much rather teach my kids to live life in pursuit of God instead of the pursuit of happiness.

But that is just me.