How to Make Yourself Truly Happy: Purpose

I have spent many years on what could be called a spiritual quest. I have been seeking answers, although until about two thirds of the way through that quest, I did not even know that I was looking for answers – I didn’t even know the questions! But the truth is that we are all looking for something. Deep down we are all looking for happiness. It can take several forms, but ultimately that is what we are all looking for – whether it be in the reassurance of a loved one or a divine power, acceptance of our peers or some kind of purpose in our lives – we will do almost anything to find it.

Now I believe that I have found everything that I will need to live a perfectly content and happy life. I am not trying to boast, but I cannot imagine being able to find ay more joy than I have right now. Don’t get me wrong – an bit more spending money would be nice, and maybe a summer home in Rome, but these things do not really bring about happiness or joy.

I have touched on it already, but in my opinion there are several things that you need in order to be completely happy/satisfied/full of joy or whatever words you want to use, these include the component of purpose

Now I happen to believe that you can find all that you need for joy or happiness to abound in your life within Christianity. But that is not necessarily to say that you can find them in every church. Sometimes you need to take a Christian ideal or goal and find it elsewhere, if the church near you is lacking.

For this article I want to look at purpose. How do you get a sense of purpose? I don’t want to get all preachy, as this article is not directly intended to be some elaborate sales pitch for my faith, but I believe that I get my purpose from God. I believe that he has put me where I am today so that I can bring about his Shalom (complete wholeness, peace, restoration and love with nothing lacking) where ever I go. Before I offend anyone on the far right of the Christian spectrum I should state that part of that involves bringing people to a knowledge of Christ and his salvation offered to all humanity, but it is so much more than that. Look at the life of Christ as an example. He spent his time feeding the hungry, healing the sick, bringing life and joy where there was only death and despair. That is my purpose in life. I draw this, as you can see, from the life of Jesus and the teaching of the Bible. But I commend that everyone needs a purpose in life. There is no greater purpose than to help others. Whether it be feeding the hungry with donations to a local drop in shelter, or offering to buy a homeless guy a rain proof jacket when its pouring outside, or even just helping your elderly neighbor by clearing the snow from her garden path. I do these things in an attempt to bring the peace and wholeness of God everywhere I go. But if you insist that there is no God, or if you insist that Jesus is not his Son, then I still commend this lifestyle of sacrifice and giving to you. It will give you a true sense of purpose and that is one third of the way unto true happiness.