GOSPEL TRACTS
Where Is True Happiness?
There was a woman, chatting with an old friend whom she had not seen in a long time. The friend saw that the woman’s face appeared very pale and asked her, “What happened?”
The woman answered, “Sometime ago, because I turned 50 and am halfway through with my life, many friends urged me to make the most of the remaining time and enjoy life: to eat whatever I want and do whatever I please. I felt that the words made a lot of sense, so I traveled abroad on a tour with other women to indulge myself in eating and shopping. I was happy while on tour, but when I got home I felt empty, even sinful. Later on, I saw the news about students meeting tragic accidents while working in part-time jobs. The made me feel guilty, and I despised myself.”
“Before, I often felt that inner pain and lack, so I often engaged myself in pleasant things to do. For example, having lunch dates with friends, watching movies, or shopping, etc. When alone, I would occupy myself with films or dramas of all genres, locking myself in the rectangular screen, experiencing the satisfying roller coaster of human emotions. But after the interesting movie or drama came to an end, a strong sense of emptiness would envelope me as I pondered, “Alas! Another good movie has ended.” I have lost my joy and satisfaction again. So I would try to find a new, good movie to watch so that I can fill myself with new happiness and satisfaction. And the vicious cycle went on and on.”
These happiness and satisfaction are merely extraneous, not the real joy that emanates from our heart within. Happiness is a fleeting emotion. Material enjoyment can never be able to satisfy us. This is the reason why we often sense an emptiness deep within. We are constantly pursuing bliss and happiness, but it continues to elude us. But we thank God for His great love for us. He promised us, “whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall by no means thirst forever; but the water that I will give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into eternal life” (John 4:14).
We thirst, because we have been drinking the wrong kind of water. God is the source of all things. Only when our spirit deep within drinks of the right water can we obtain true satisfaction.
