The American Constitution famously defines basic human rights as “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”  But what is happiness?  And how do you pursue it?

The writer, George Orwell, once said, “Men can only be happy when they do not assume that the object of life is happiness.”  It seems to me that happiness kind of sneaks up on you unexpectedly.  It’s a result of loving others, being loved in return, and doing what is good and right.  And those are things God wants us to do, right?

A couple of years ago my team and I went to Ethiopia to hold an evangelistic festival and share the Good News of Jesus with people there.  There was a lot of political tension, and we were pretty on edge the whole time.  But when I look back on it now, what I remember are the happy times we had with other believers, and the excitement of seeing many people open their hearts to God. Happiness comes when we do what God has given us to do, and see it through in His strength. 

The first statement in the Westminster Confession is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Happiness should not be our main goal in life, but knowing and serving our wonderful God, and the result – the great result – is true happiness.       

This is Andrew Palau.