Blessed New Year

Thanks to all who have wished me a happy new year but I am not seeking a happy year, I want a blessed year. We have all heard the phrase, “the pursuit of happiness” and it is easy to fall into the trap of reaching for it. Now here is the kicker, happiness should not be our goal. It is a by- product of pursuing more important things. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” These words of Jesus help us put happiness in its place. “These things” is the key, do these things and the result will be happiness. In most other places in the New Testament the same Greek word for happy is translated blessed. The pursuit of happiness is like the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, just when you think you are about there it is gone. Pursue “these things” and you will find happiness without looking for it. jfs