I was introduced to an interesting character at our month 4 (!?) debrief a few weeks ago. We were staying at great little hostel in Nelspruit, South Africa called Old Vic’s Travelle Lodge. When we arrived a very tall, very boisterous man introduced himself as “Crazy Dave.” I can’t imagine a more ideal person to run a backpacker’s hostel. He is loud, friendly, and on top of things. He has a great South African accent that just completes the whole picture. Crazy Dave – despite the “Crazy” – seemed pretty sane. That was what I thought until we had been there a few days and I heard him yelling “HAPPINESS?” through the entire complex. “HAPPINESS? HAPPINESS?!” I was like, “Should I go out and tell him about Jesus? It seems kind of weird that he thinks he will find happiness by yelling for it.” I’m glad I didn’t sense the Spirit’s leading on that one. As it turns out, the head maid was named…yep, Happiness.
Even though the mystery of “Happiness” was solved, this comical moment got my wheels turning. How often do I go around yelling for “happiness” at all the wrong people or in all the wrong places? This year has given me such a new perspective on what happiness really is. My former self found what I thought was happiness in titles, possessions, people. I sought for my idea of fulfillment in tasks, relationships, and approval. I looked for wisdom in books, media, and myself. Just like Crazy Dave and his search, I wasn’t really finding any of these things in all of my “yelling.”
The shift in my searching has really just begun. The Lord is continually showing me that ALL of these things that I desire are found in Him. He will always be showing me more about how He loves and pursues me. I am so grateful that we have a God who knows our hearts. Seek Him if you are looking for fulfillment. Seek Him if you are searching for true joy. Seek Him if you are disappointed by the world’s version of love. I know that you will find Who you are looking for.
