Does God Want Me Holy or Happy?
I love singing to my kids at night before they go to bed. One of their favorites? The joy song, at least that’s what they call it. You probably know it: “I got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart…” After repeating the chorus, we burst out with clapping, “And I’m so happy, so very happy, I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart.” In this song, there’s no difference between joy and happiness. They are synonymous.
Can we say that God wants us happy? It’s a daring thing. I was always told happiness and joy were different. The joy song corrects that error. I also heard growing up–and maybe you did too, “God cares more about your happiness than your holiness.” Is that true? Look at Psalm 16:9-11:
Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
A glad heart sounds like a happy heart. A rejoicing being sounds like a happy being. A path that puts one into God’s presence where they experience the fullness of joy sounds like a happy path. God indeed does want you happy; he just wants to purify your happiness. How does he do this? God wants to move your happiness away from fleeting, temporary joys and pleasures that leave you empty and sorrowful in the end to a happiness that is lasting, full, eternal, and totally satisfying, namely himself.
C.S. Lewis makes this point with this way:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition
when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making
mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a
holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
God absolutely wants me to be happy! He just doesn’t want me going after mud pies. He knows the things of the world will overpromise and underdeliver. They will disappoint, and ultimately, these mud pies (or idols) will cause me to forfeit the infinite joy offered to me. Does God want me happy or holy? The answer is yes. Happiness in God is the essence of holiness. As I’m happily satisfied in God, I don’t look elsewhere to have the desires of my heart fulfilled.