Dear Faith Family,
We've talked a lot about happiness over the last few months. Happiness being a full and complete life, not a momentary sense of contentment or joy, though a full life will certainly include such moments. Remember Jesus began his famous sermon with nine repetitions declaring the already happy state of those sharing life with God, "Blessed are..." (Matt. 5:2-12).
Among the many amazing things of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is this truth: happiness is not achieved or accomplished but shared. Happiness, a full and complete life, comes not through prosperous gain or rigorous devotion but through God sharing his complete life with us and us sharing life with others in kind.
Happiness as a life shared in true and good and loving relationships (i.e., "righteousness") with others is not merely a religious sentiment; it is our most fundamental human need. It is why no amount or combination of "goods" (material or otherwise) ever feels complete. It is why a man like Chamath Palihapitiya--a former Facebook executive, a minority owner of the Golden State Warriors, a billionaire, and CEO of Social Capital--can feel dissatisfied with life. And while there is nothing novel about those who seemingly "have it all" admitting that something is missing, Chamath's "Oh, wow!" moments reveal what all our hearts our searching after; righteous relating.
Watch and listen to the video below, not for the advice offered (i.e., "Go define your own happiness."), but what fundamental fullness Chamath is finding in his life shared with family and friends. Afterward, think through the questions below, and maybe share your thoughts with a friend, spouse, or someone in your DNA or GC.
Love you faith family! God bless.
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CONTEMPLATING THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS
In what ways do you empathize with Chamath's struggle to live a completely fulfilling life?
How are Chamath's longings, wrestles, assumptions, and discoveries common? Who in your life is grappling with similar questions?
In what ways does Chamath's defined happiness in family and friends testify to the truth that happiness is not achieved or accomplished but shared?
Now think about the Sermon on the Mount, and all that it reveals about relating rightly with God and others--and how such relations go sideways!
In what ways do Chamath's advice and discoveries fall short of what Jesus reveals? What is missing?
How would you fill in the gaps in conversation with Chamath or someone who shares his desire?
If Chamath is at the surface of deep truth, that a full and complete life is shared in "righteous" relationships, in what ways are you in pursuit of God-defined happiness?