So wait, what are we here for anyways?

“Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence”

- Aristotle -

          There are countless questions that we face during our time on the earth. The meaning of our existence, no doubt, is the most-often debated and controversial question of all. People have spent their entire lives searching for such a meaning or to simply find a way to make life worthwhile. Like Solomon, many chase after things of this world only for temporary satisfaction yet seeking something that will last, but are repeatedly reminded that again, all is vanity. And just like them, we also chase for things that give us pleasure; we want to find something that can satisfy our desires, something to make us happy. We all want to be happy, don't we?

I think Aristotle's observation on happiness describes the truth about all of mankind quite aptly. There is no goal in life except to satisfy the desires of the heart. The happiness (no matter how temporary it is) of the individual becomes the sole priority. But if we leave it at that, we leave life to become exceedingly selfish. Yes, a lot of people are nice and want to spread the joy, but deep down, we all know that everyone wants to be happy. 

 Well, why not? Being happy is pretty awesome. But I think the difference between Christians and the rest of the world is that although we search for happiness, we don’t spend our entire lives looking for it. We don’t have to spend our lives searching for an answer because frankly we’ve already found it. We’ve been enslaved by our sins and been set free through Christ’s substitutionary death—the greatest gift the world has ever known. We never deserved it. Why then do we go around searching in this world for something that will satisfy when we know that nothing on this earth will ever end up satisfying us? I’m not saying that Christians should abandon a search for happiness; I just think they shouldn’t have to search for an answer in the first place. There’s a lot of joy that can be found outside of the Gospel (and definitely something that God has given to us to enjoy), but the basis of our happiness should be found first and foremost in what Christ has done for us.

My happiness isn’t my meaning and purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence; my purpose is to solely glorify Him who reigns above and to live exemplifying the wonders of His glorious Cross. Happiness is just a bonus. :)