Looking in All the Wrong Places

Two men decided to go ice fishing. They found a good spot on some ice and began digging. As soon as they finished the hole, they heard a voice from above saying, “There are no fish here.” The men took that as a sign, moved about 60 feet and began digging again. Soon they heard the voice from above saying, “There are no fish here.” They believed the voice, so they moved about 60 feet and began to dig another hole. Once again, the voice came from above, saying, “There are no fish under this skating rink!”                            
Friends, this story reminds me of a very important truth.  The reason those two fishermen did not catch any fish is the same reason why many people do not find happiness in life–they are looking in the wrong place. Many assume that if they just had more money in their bank account, they would be happy people. It doesn’t work that way, however. There are plenty of folks who have made lots of money but have found very little happiness. When multi-millionaire Jay Gould was dying, he said, “I suppose I am the most miserable person on earth.” Or as one TV celebrity said, “Money can be happiness.... for about ten minutes.”

Others think that success and fame are the keys to true happiness.  Yet, many who have those things still feel quite empty.  Lee Iacocca, who had been the head of both Ford and Chrysler motor companies, once said, “Even in my twilight years I’m still wondering what life is about, but I can tell you this: fame and fortune is for the birds.”  Reaching the pinnacle of one’s career seldom brings real satisfaction. After winning the Super Bowl a few years ago, one of the players sat in the locker room an hour after the game and asked, “OK, so who do we get to play next?”

Many of us are convinced the source of real happiness is loving relationships. We believe a spouse, family members, or friends will make our life worthwhile and enable us to experience the joy we desire. Yet many who fall in love and marry someone whom they are convinced is their “soulmate,” find that marriage ending in a painful divorce within a few short years. Loving relationships can bring happiness, but they are also a source of much disappointment and betrayal. The closer we are to someone, the more vulnerable we are to being hurt by that individual. Even the best relationships are ultimately temporary. As actress Terri Garr once asked, “Why does everyone I love have to die?” The reality of our mortality casts a dark shadow over whatever happiness we experience from our relationships with others.

There are many other paths that people think lead to happiness, but they almost always end up being dead ends. Physical exercise, sports, movies, books, sexual pleasure, food, games, etc. all have the power to provide happiness... for about ten minutes. None of these offer a lasting sense of joy. That is why I believe people are looking for happiness in all the wrong places.

Friends, the Bible makes it clear that God Himself is the one place where true happiness can be found. Psalm 16:11 says, “Lord, You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.” The happiness that can be found in the Lord is not temporary, but eternal. Looking to Him for happiness is the right place to look.