Have you forgotten what happiness is?

Happiness is mentioned only twice in the Bible (ESV).

How beautiful upon the mountains
are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness (Isaiah 52:7)

My soul is bereft of peace;
I have forgotten what happiness is; (Lamentations 3:17)

A couple of years ago Linda and I had a weekend away in the Scottish town of Peebles. We stayed at the Neidpath Inn, which establishment I used as part of John Harris’ escapades when he was fleeing agents of the Bank of England. You can read about this in my novel Expect Nothing Back. Contact me if you’d like a copy (it’s not available on Amazon).
As part of my research into what we’d do in Peebles for that weekend, I looked at some of the churches in the town, and watched a five-minute thought-for-the-day by one of the vicars. His words resonated with me, so I share them here.

In order to be happy a man must have three things:

1) Something to do. Without something to do, a man lacks purpose, and very quickly feels that he has little value because he isn’t doing anything for the betterment of his life or for those around him. He will derive great satisfaction by producing something (even if it is just mowing the lawn). Having had periods of unemployment in my life, I know personally that this is true. I need to be doing something (even if it’s simply writing a blog).

2) Something to hope for. Without something on the horizon, life can be a serious drudge. It may simply be a holiday, or a friend coming over, or anticipation of a nice dinner. Whatever the case, life is better if you have something to look forward to. The hope and anticipation of a future event drive a man forward.

3) Someone to love. Love, being the first fruit of God’s Spirit, is intrinsic to human happiness. The mother needs the baby to love, the baby needs the mother to love. If you have love welling up in your heart, you need someone to direct that love towards.

I think it’s no coincidence that Jesus Christ provides a man with all three things. He gives you something to do (Love your neighbour as yourself, visit the sick and imprisoned, do good not evil etc).
He gives you something to hope for (You do not know the day nor the hour, but behold, I am coming soon. “I say unto you today, you will be with me in paradise.”)
He gives you someone to love. Namely himself and his Father in heaven, as well as many brothers and sisters.

Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:27-30)

If you’re not very happy right now, check.
Have you something to do?
    - If not you’d better find something. How about writing someone a letter! (not an email).
Have you something to hope for?
    - If not, why not figure out what you’ll eat next Tuesday and anticipate it? Or meditate on your next holiday? Even Jesus took time off (Mark 6:31)
Have you someone to love?
    - Why not thank God for that man, that woman, that child? Why not figure out a unique way to demonstrate that love today?