Growing up, I often longed for security, belonging and happiness. But the more I pursued these good things apart from God, the more they seemed to pull me away from my faith and consume me.
My intense need to belong overshadowed every thought and informed every decision. I compromised my values to feel accepted by friends and secure in my romantic relationships. I didn’t feel worthy of the God I pledged my life to. So over the years, my desires continued waging war within me (James 4:1).
I vividly recall the exhaustion from this internal struggle, particularly one morning as I sat alone in the small, nearly forgotten chapel on my college campus. I was tired of fighting to build my sense of security while trying to maintain a feeling of being right with God … but knowing deep down that something was amiss.
I decided to be truly honest with God about my search for security and belonging apart from Him. In my prayer and meditation on God’s Word, I felt His answer to me was simple: Relax. Just enjoy Me. If you simply enjoy Me, everything else will fall into place.
God is the Creator. He is good, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy — how can He not be a sure and steady source of joy? As I realized this, my craving for lesser things waned over time. Compared to God’s beautiful nature and His gifts of freedom, peace, love and restoration, my pursuit of happiness outside of Him started to feel trivial.
Of course, that doesn’t mean other things don’t make me happy. Late-night milkshakes with friends, marrying my best friend and having children have all made me extremely happy! And they have also brought me a sense of security and belonging. But when I compare those joys to the joy of knowing God, I can see them for what they truly are — fragments of happiness.
Imagine a box with holes in it placed over a bright light. Each ray shining through is just a fragment of the light inside, dull in comparison to the source. The joy of knowing God is like that bright light while our earthly happiness is like those smaller rays. Though they pale in comparison to God, they’re still valuable gifts, made even more meaningful when we recognize they come from God’s goodness.
We often fight so hard to find a sense of happiness, belonging or pleasure while also fighting to hold on to what we imagine our relationship with God should look like. But in searching for happiness, we often miss the deeper joy and security He offers us.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). His yoke is easy and His burden is light. In Him we find security … and to Him we belong.
Jesus, thank You for offering us a relationship with You that does not waver. Thank You for giving us lasting joy and peace through Your own goodness and faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
