It’s so ironic that to find happiness you must stop looking for it.  Why is that?  When you make your personal happiness your mission in life then life is all about you.  That leads to selfishness, which leads to a non-fulfilling life.

If you think that buying the new television will make you happy, then you won’t be happy for long because they are coming out with a new one.  Researchers describe the so-called “hedonic treadmill” hypothesis, which holds that people rapidly adjust to improved situations; thus, as soon as they acquire some new delight—a second house, a third car, a fourth-generation iPhone—their expectations ramp upward, and they are left no happier than before.

So, if the pursuit of happiness is not going to bring me happiness, then what will?

Research shows that people are more energized about life when they are using their strengths for a bigger purpose beyond themselves.  Before researchers discovered this, Jesus said, “If try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it.  But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.”

The happiest people I know are those who serve the Lord right here at Crossroads each week.  There is a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment and empowerment that comes from serving like nothing else I know.

How about you?  Are your greatest moments when you dared to step out and do something beyond yourself?  If you know you were meant for more, what can you  do for others that will help you find true life?