Chasing Happy

Scripture to Ponder:

Matthew 6:19-21

Summers full of laughter, swimming, and days in the sun with the people we love is what I hope my kids remember when they're grown. I want them to have fond memories that last a lifetime. I want them to prioritize what truly matters. The things that last.

Our family dinners during the warm months always ended with competitive games in the backyard. From wiffle-ball to tag, we played with our kids and nieces and nephews until it was too dark to see. I loved those days and miss them terribly now that the kids are getting older and starting their own lives.

One game in particular left a rather lasting impression. It was already dark but we continued to play hide and seek tag. The cover of darkness made the game even more fun and my nephew was having a harder time chasing down the adults. Then those famous last words were spoken, “watch this". I quietly inched past my nephew and started to sprint for base. The next thing I knew my feet were in the air and I landed with a noticeable thud on the grass now damp with dew. I wiped out hard enough that the kids still remember the incident. It's funny to look back on now but then it was terribly painful.

Our lives consist of chasing. We may be chasing different things, but we're all still striving towards something. Most are chasing after happiness and our world says that money, possessions, and power bring just that. If that were true, every wealthy celebrity should be happy, but that's certainly not the case and it's heartbreaking to watch people strive to those ends. Our earthly lives can easily be filled with obtaining more, but more doesn't bring happiness that lasts. It may fill a temporary void, but soon that will fade and we will be striving towards the next thing.

Jesus lovingly reminds us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be. What's in our heart is what we will chase after and what we chase after will be a reflection of what's in our heart. If we chase after temporary things those rewards will soon fade, but when we chase after Christ our reward is eternal. It all comes down to our heart. What is in our hearts? Am I focused on Christ and keeping an eternal perspective, or am I becoming distracted by the temporary things that will fade away? The things that truly matter impact eternity.

May we not chase after earthly happiness that fades but after Christ. May we chase after the one who sustains us, sisters!

Questions to Ponder:

1) If we take inventory of our lives, what is in our hearts? Where am I storing treasures?

2) Does my life reflect my answer to question 1?

3) Do I search my heart often to ensure my focus remains steadfast on eternity?