Pause for thought - June 27 2003

Pause for thought - BBC Radio 2 - Joel Edwards 

HAPPY PEOPLE

I popped out of Bond Street tube station in the West End yesterday with Ken Dodd in my head!

At least I think it should have been Ken Dodd. For I had just finished reading a really interesting piece in the papers about happiness.

It came with some interesting ideas about happiness. Like this one from George Burns:

"Happiness is having a large loving caring, close-knit family in another city."

Today, in the interest of happiness, the Government’s Sustainable Development Commission will launch a campaign against economic development.

"Why?" I hear you ask as you count up your summer spending money!

Well, its because a lot of evidence seems to suggest that higher average incomes doesn’t guarantee greater happiness. We have more money, less time and a lot less happiness.

So I though of Ken Dodd’s happiness song.

But I also thought about what Jesus said. For Jesus had his own take on happiness. The word we use is "blessed". "Blessed" are those who hunger and thirst for justice. "Blessed" are those who are persecuted for living good lives. "Blessed" are the peacemakers.

But for "blessed" read "Happy." There’s that Ken Dodd song again. I’m sure there’s a line which says something like, "I thank the Lord that I’ve been blessed?" But it’s all a bit before my time!

It’s a part of the upside-down irony of the Kingdom of God. "Happy" are those who hunger and thirst for justice (righteousness). "Happy" are those who are persecuted for living good lives. "Happy" are the peace makers.

Not as crazy as it sounds really. For although our happiness is often aided and abetted by good jobs, money and material things, they don’t actually guarantee happiness. Happiness is highly probably if you have money. But even if you don’t, happiness in Jesus’ terms is still perfectly possible.

Happiness is the underground stream of satisfaction which comes to those who pursue values which go beyond materialism and which makes the human spirit to grow.

So when the studies tell us that being with family and friends, exercising and praying all make us happier, perhaps they’re just catching up with the teaching of Jesus who said "Happy are the peacemakers".

And we all know, don’t we, that peace making is usually done where other people are.

Even if you don’t have much money I hope it’s a happy day.

Rev. Joel Edwards