WE live in a society that has confused happiness with pleasure, although it's not a new problem because it was noted by the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, as far back as 300 years before the birth of Christ.

Many years later, in the 1600s, Blaise Pascal spoke of the “infinite abyss” in every human soul. You might call it “the happiness hole”.

The problem is that we desperately try to fill our happiness hole with what we think will satisfy us – food, drink, luxuries, relationships, sports, career, children etcetera.

But the restlessness, the “infinite abyss”, can only be filled by the infinite God himself. As St Augustine said: “God made us for himself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in him.”

This lasting satisfaction is what Jesus offers in his invitation to us: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Throughout his ministry, Jesus counselled his followers to pursue lasting happiness. Not the type of happiness that requires maintenance, or replacement, nor that which can even be snatched from us. Instead, a happiness that never fades, never wears out and can never be taken away.

In Matthew 11, Jesus warns that our pursuit of temporary happiness will wear us out, because the objects of our pursuit will themselves not last forever. He knows that nothing this world offers is sufficiently satisfying to meet the deepest longings of our hearts and that true, lasting happiness can only be possible when we fill our “happiness hole” with the eternal, transcendent Lord.

If we choose to accept his invitation, we have the assurance that, even in times of trial and sorrow, we can take heart that we have a hope that is more solid than Mount Everest itself.

Kevin Prinsloo

Pastor, White River Community Church