Will Purpose Make Me Happy?

Focus Statement

In a world where fleeting happiness holds sway,

God invites us to embrace a boundless vision of faith and genuine flourishing.

Point of Relation

I want to share what I’m experiencing as I follow God’s call here with you.

This move has been a leap of faith.

Like many of you had to trust God with a new pastor

I have to trust God in this transition.

There are financial challenges,

and I know I’m stepping into the unknown.

Before the move, I felt fear and isolation,

leaving behind my home and friends in New Jersey.

Yet, despite those fears, I was hopeful,

and I’m thrilled to be here with all of you.

My worries haven’t vanished—

finances are still tight,

and I’m working to establish myself—

but I’ve been blessed to reconnect with people from my previous conference.

This church community has been warm and welcoming, making this transition feel like a true blessing.

YOU ALL TRULY DO ROCK!

And this experience has reinforced my understanding of joy.

Friends, Joy isn’t the same as happiness;

it’s an enduring presence that sustains us,

even in tough times.

While some find inspiration in philosophies about keeping what brings us joy,

I believe true joy is rooted in our relationships, faith, and purpose

I, personally, find my joy in the teachings of Jesus,

especially the Beatitudes.

They remind me that true joy comes from living a life of purpose and compassion.

So I invite you to reflect on your own journeys.

Have you followed a path that was tough but rewarding?

Pause

How do you discern between happiness and joy?

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Things to Consider

Friends, we prioritize happiness in our culture.

But happiness is a fleeting emotion.

To look for what makes us happy doesn’t necessarily clarify our purpose.

Consider the difference between moments of happiness and finding true joy.

The way we define happiness can be very shallow,

often tied to temporary pleasures or material gains.

In the Church, we are sometimes led astray by prosperity gospel beliefs,

which suggest that faithfulness will lead to material wealth and success.

This perspective can overshadow the deeper, more meaningful aspects of spiritual fulfillment.

Consider contemporary examples,

such as the pursuit of luxury goods

or social media validation,

where happiness is often equated

with external achievements or appearances.

I recently boosted a post on Facebook that received 1.8K reactions,

over 50 comments,

and 127 shares.

That made me happy at the moment, but the boost is done—the activity is over.

Yet, the poem I boosted still brings me joy.

We desire an easy journey of faith and life,

but true fulfillment often involves character-building work and enduring challenges.

Living a life of faith and finding the purpose God has for us

requires looking beyond superficial happiness

to embrace a deeper joy rooted in purpose and community.

What Scripture Says

Both of today’s passages remind us that a life of faith,

a journey toward our God-given purpose,

doesn't always lead to the happiness we often chase.

In Matthew, Jesus lays bare the path ahead—

a road marked by sacrifice and challenge.

Peter, filled with concern, struggles to accept this fate,

yet Jesus stands firm,

driven by a vision of justice, hope, and compassion.

In John, we see Thomas and Martha

wrestling with their grief,

yet they choose to follow Jesus, even in their sorrow.

Even Jesus, faced with the death of Lazarus,

reminds us that uncertainty and grief touch us all,

even when we strive to live into our calling.

Let's explore these themes together:

First, we should be:

Pursuing what is good, even if it's harder.

In Matthew 16, Jesus predicts His own death,

and Peter interrupts,

insisting this cannot be His fate.

Yet, Jesus speaks with clarity about His purpose,

pursuing a greater vision for the world—

one that embodies justice, hope, and compassion.

In John, Jesus chooses to journey to Judea,

to be with Lazarus, Martha, and Mary,

despite the looming risks.

The disciples plead with Him to reconsider,

but Jesus remains resolute.

What fuels this courage?

What inspires us to pursue what is good,

even when the road is steep and fraught with difficulty?

Next, we consider the importance of:

Trusting God to sustain us as we live into our purpose.

In these stories,

we witness a profound trust that carries us through life's storms.

Jesus walks with unwavering purpose, even as doubt swirls around Him.

Martha and Mary, in their grief, choose to remain close,

trusting in Jesus’ presence.

Their hearts are heavy with loss,

yet they cling to the hope that Jesus brings.

When Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the others who came with her also weeping,

he was deeply moved and troubled.

His trouble wasn't with their tears but with

his own grief.

He had lost a dear friend, someone He loved deeply.

Witnessing the pain of Martha,

Mary, and their community,

He shared in their sorrow.

This moment reveals His humanity and empathy.

Like us,

Jesus knows the pain of loss and the sorrow that accompanies it.

What sustains us when the way is unclear?

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How do we hold onto faith, knowing that God walks with us through every trial?

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Finally, we reflect on:

Losing your life to find it.

In Matthew,

Jesus invites us into a deeper truth:

to truly live, we must be willing to let go of what the world tells us is life.

He warns against the allure of false promises and empty pursuits.

What does the world offer that we must release to find real fulfillment?

Pause

In surrendering the world's definitions,

we discover a life rich with meaning and purpose.

What This Means for You

Perhaps the question we should ponder about our purpose isn't, "Will this path bring me happiness?"

It's not, "Will it solve every problem?"

or "Will it grant us our deepest desires?"

Instead, let us ask:

Does this journey nurture the flourishing of my soul,

my community,

and the world around me?

Does it feel meaningful,

guiding us toward greater justice, hope, and compassion? T

hese are not the same as asking,

"Does it make me happy?"

I invite you to reflect on whether you find fulfillment in your daily lives or if there is a calling that could lead to a deeper sense of purpose.

Remember, your unique gifts can bring goodness to others.

This is an important point,

especially for those who might believe that

simply following God and living righteously

will automatically lead to happiness.

Friends, living into our purpose can be challenging,

which is why understanding the difference between

happiness and true fulfillment is essential.

What This Means for Us

As we journey together,

let us remember that our purpose is

not defined by fleeting happiness

but by the deeper call to justice, hope, and compassion.

We are invited to live lives that reflect the love and grace of God,

nurturing not only our own souls but also those around us.

May we find the courage to pursue what is good,

trust in God's sustaining presence,

and embrace the paradox of losing our lives to find true fulfillment.

Together, as a community,

let us step boldly into this calling,

knowing that it leads us to a life rich

with meaning and eternal promise.

Amen? Amen!