Push button for happiness... *boink*

(image credit: http://www.classbrain.com/artteensb/publish/article_142.shtml)

This will be a brief observation, but I've noticed something in myself and in pop culture broadly that's of concern to me.

We live in a time where computers and the internet allows us to shop, do our banking, watch television, search for silly videos, listen to music, connect with friends, search for pictures, play games, and so on, all with the push of a button. Instantly. Its addicting. Whether good or bad, fun or boring, we have a world of information and entertainment at our fingertips, more than any generation before us.

As I write, I've listened to a comedy routine on Youtube, searched for pictures to use with the blog background, received emails and text messages, and so on. I turned this computer on fully intending to read a few helpful PDF files (offline, I might add).

This phenomenon isn't limited to the internet on the personal computer. It extends to television marketing, fast food restaurants, relationships, churches, and all manner of products and services. Its all about... you guessed it... ME. The individual. Convenience. And it is addicting. It's almost liek we're worshipping our own desires, and that's a scary idea.

What if I have a bad day, no one seems to be around to talk, and I am left to decide how I want to spend my time? The better option to solve this problem of course would be to do something beneficial, such as exercise, reading a good book, finding a friend or loved one to visit or talk with, finding someone to help or serve, perhaps some way to volunteer time or improve one's quality of work or relationships, etc.
Yet which is easier to do, go do something that requires thought and effort, or to simply press a button, sit down in a soft chair, and have happiness at the push of a button? Obviously, pressing the button is easier. Getting McDonalds is easier than cooking. Searching for dramatic stories to read online is easier than writing them oneself. Playing a video game simulating a sport or exercise (Madden NFL anyone?) is far easier than finding the time (and friend-group) to actually play the sport. And so on it goes.

Of course, this chasing convenience doesn't ultimately satisfy or give lasting happiness. The point is, the pace of life for those who have bought into this mindset (and those who think they have it under control) is only increasing and the allure is addicting. Effort is replaced with ease. Doing the hard things is replaced by paying others to do the hard things. And community gives way to convenience (ever noticed how easy it is to leave a church these days?).

In the midst of all the craziness, Jesus' words speak clearly and abrasively to this culture:
Matthew 11:28-30 (HCSB)
²⁸ “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
²⁹ All of you, take up My yoke and learn from Me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yourselves.
³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”


The Son of God offers something to the world which this on-demand, self-orientation cannot comprehend. We've ignored and offended Him and sinned against Him, yet He freely offers us amnesty and a relationship with Himself if we will but surrender, lay down our weapons, and trust Him. It involves rest, yet we are expected to work. It involves work, yet He offers rest. Here's what I mean...
"For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—  not from works, so that no one can boast.  For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them."

Ephesians 2:8-10 (HCSB) 

We're offered rest from our futility, from our attempts to find meaning, and, most especially, from our attempts to please God by our faltering actions, which couldn't make us perfect anyhow. Only Jesus' death on the cross could do that. Once we DO trust in Him, we're bought. We are His, and we are expected to go out from that and dare I say it, change the world. Or at least be faithful to do our part well where we are based on what He says is right.
Does a lighthouse exist to point everyone to the lighthouse? Lighthouses are cool and all, but no. It exists to serve and warn those ships who would otherwise run aground on dangerous rocks. Its builder designed it and placed it where it needed to be to make a difference in its small way, namely to save lives (and ships!). And that's what we're supposed to do.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

The more we're about self-fulfillment, the less we will be fulfilled. But the more we embrace this idea that Jesus is "at the center" of our universe, the more fulfilled we can be. It's not a promise that you get everything you want; its a promise that eventually God will teach you to want the right things.

Will we persist in this crazy pursuit of on-demand self-pleasure?
Or will we seek out the only well that can satisfy our thirst?

Life will only get crazier and crazier. Will we persist in this pursuit of happiness, or will we seek to pursue the one who created happiness in the first place and live our lives to honor and serve Him?
"Come to me," Jesus says.
What will be our response?