From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

A French philosopher once said, “The whole world is on a mad quest for security and happiness.” A former president of Harvard University observed, “The world is searching for a creed to believe and a song to sing.” A Texas millionaire confided, “I thought money could buy happiness—I have been miserably disillusioned.” A famous film star broke down: “I have money, beauty, glamour, and popularity. I should be the happiest woman in the world, but I am miserable. Why?” One of Britain’s top social leaders said, “I have lost all desire to live, yet I have everything to live for. What is the matter?”

The poet Amy Wilson Carmichael wrote:

The lonely, dreary road he trod. “Enter into my joy,” said God.

The sad ascetic shook his head, “I’ve lost all taste for joy,” he said.

Many people may choose not to believe it, but it is the presence of sin that prevents people from being truly happy. People are told that to be happy all they have to do is think “happy thoughts.” Such thoughts might cheer us momentarily, but they will never change us.

Someone wrote: “Happy are the clever, for they shall inherit the admiration of their friends”; Happy are the aggressive, for they shall inherit a career”; “Happy are the rich, for they shall inherit a world of friends and a house full of gadgets.”

But Jesus said, “[Happy] are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). If we want the secret of happiness, meekness (humbleness) is a basic key. Happy is the person who has learned the secret of being content with whatever life brings, and has learned to rejoice in the simple things.

(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

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