Blaise Pascal was a French philosopher who lived in the 1600s. He once made this observation:

“All men [people] seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end.”

As I read those words for the first time, they resonated with me. The passion for happiness is a powerful desire and at work in all my decisions. Even the times that I want to wallow in my misery, it’s because that’s what I think will make me happy!

Life has taught me that I’m not on my own in this. The pursuit of happiness is all around us and fills our lives day by day. We are all on a quest seeking the holy grail of joy, delight and true extraordinary contentment.

But where do we find true happiness? What can satisfy the thirst within us?

Looking back over my life, I’ve searched for the answer in several different places: money –  trying to get more or living without it; people and relationships; job fulfilment; gadgets and tech; perfecting my surroundings; holidays… The list goes on.

Yet, while I’ve known happy times in all of these, they fall short of the satisfaction of ultimate joy. I’m left seeking for more.

The Bible contains a promise of joy. It’s a joy with a difference. It’s a happiness that reaches to the deepest depths of our soul and will never fade or disappear. Jesus even claims that bringing this joy was the purpose of his life and his death, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10).

But is such happiness possible and can God be the one to give it to us?

That’s a question that we’re going to be exploring together on the first three Sundays of November, in our morning services. I want to invite you to come and join us.

The services will be in person at our building on Gracious Street and also live-streamed on our YouTube channel.

If you have any questions, you can contact us here.