Don’t Miss Your LifeSample

Success Doesn’t Satisfy

The problem of having success as our goal is that we’re never satisfied. I might have said that before. I’ll say it again…at least twice. Success doesn’t satisfy. Success doesn’t satisfy. It doesn’t impact our long-term happiness either. That’s what psychologists say: happiness is a predetermined condition that fluctuates circumstantially, for a time.

Jesus says something different.

In his most famous sermon, Jesus explicitly addresses happiness. Here’s the word Jesus uses—blessed. It means fortunate, abundant, or blissful. Blessed means happy. If you’re like me, you’re thinking, “Yes! Sign me up! I want to be blessed!” It’s like the person who says, “Can I pray for you?” Here’s my response, every time: “Yes! Absolutely! Pray for me!” To say no is not even a consideration.

Jesus speaks of happiness in a similar way. There’s only one small caveat. Here’s what Jesus says:

Blessed/Happy are the poor in spirit…

Blessed/Happy are those who mourn…

Blessed/Happy are the meek…

Blessed/Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…

Blessed/Happy are the merciful…

Blessed/Happy are the pure in heart…

Blessed/Happy are the peacemakers…

Blessed/Happy are those who are persecuted because of righteousness…(Matthew 5:3–10 NIV).

So, hands up. Who wants to be happy?

Are you meek? Are you merciful? Are you pure in heart? Do you seek peace? Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness? Jesus says these characteristics are the secret to happiness.

Could Jesus be trying to reframe our understanding of how to be happy? Here’s what the psalmist says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11 NKJV).

That seems like a promise to me. God intends for us to enjoy life. God wants us to be fulfilled, satisfied, quenched…happy. Throw in whatever adjective you’d like, God’s plans for us are good. The problem is, somewhere along the way we lost sight of the target.

The pursuit of success is like trying to kick a soccer ball through a Hula-Hoop held by a twelve-year-old—it’s fickle at best.

But the pursuit of success for the purpose of success alone is not God’s dream for you either.

There is a better way. There’s a better target.

There is a solution: Aim at significance.