Brad and Debbie Ellgen

On Wednesday evening our discussion began with these few lines from “The Question of God”. No aspect of life is more desired, more elusive, than happiness. People wish and strive for what they believe will make them happy-good health, attractive looks, an ideal marriage, children, a comfortable home, success, fame, financial independence-the list goes on and on. Not everyone who attains these goals, however, find happiness. Unhappiness appears to be at least as prevalent as happiness. One does not need to be a psychiatrist to be aware that an astounding number of Americans suffer clinical depression – a sustained form of unhappiness- and a significant number decided to end their unhappiness by committing suicide. I often ask my classes (the author teaches at Harvard) whether or not, from their observations and experience, people around them are happy. Invariably they answer no. Invariably, I express surprise. I point out that compared with most people in the world, they possess everything-youth, health, intelligence, abundant food, clothes, a comfortable place to live, education, a promising future, etc. What in the world causes them to be unhappy? The typical answer is the lack of meaningful relationships. This led to a great discussion about what would it mean if we admitted this to be true on a very deep level the only place to find happiness and joy was in the Lord and his will. We talked about how easy it is to miss the gifts that God is giving us because we think there MORE somewhere else. Of course there is more, but it won’t be in this life. And when we think we can make Earth heaven we chase that which does not stratify. We talked a little about the “idols” that creep into our lives when we start thinking that is where we will find the happiness and joy we really want. It was such a fun discussion I wish ALL my friends could have been here.