The Happiness Trap: Why Righteousness Must Come First + The Story of Elara
Sunday, May 4th, 2025
https://www.otakada.org/the-happiness-trap-why-righteousness-must-come-first-the-story-of-elara/
The Happiness Trap: Why Righteousness Must Come First + The Story of Elara
*Prayer for Asia and Middle East – India and Pakistan are at it again. Declare God’s peace over that region as the drum of war comtinue to be beaten*
The world screams a dangerous lie: _”Follow your heart! Pursue happiness at all costs!”_ But Scripture warns that *”there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death”* (Proverbs 14:12). Whenever we prioritize fleeting happiness over lasting righteousness, we trade eternity for a mirage.
From Eden to Revelation, the Bible’s message is clear: *”Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you”* (Matthew 6:33). Adam and Eve chose momentary pleasure over obedience—and reaped centuries of misery (Genesis 3). Judas pursued silver over sanctity—and found despair (Matthew 27:3-5). Yet those who embrace God’s standard discover a paradox: *”Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled”* (Matthew 5:6).
Modern culture worships happiness as the highest good, but this idol always disappoints. Like Solomon, who indulged every desire only to groan, *”All is vanity”* (Ecclesiastes 2:11), we learn too late that sin’s thrill always fades. True joy blooms only in the soil of surrender. *”The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever”* (Isaiah 32:17).
God’s path often feels counterintuitive—denying temporary cravings to gain eternal fulfillment. *”For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it”* (Matthew 16:25). The psalmist discovered this secret: *”In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore”* (Psalm 16:11).
Stop chasing happiness. Pursue the One who defines it. *”The Lord is righteous in all His ways”* (Psalm 145:17)—and His ways lead to life.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/H67spSun32DDTma8TLh0ov
*The story of Elara to drive the point on The Happiness Trap: Why Righteousness Must Come First*
Elara, a weaver of vibrant tapestries, found her loom silent, her fingers numb with despair. Her intricate designs, once celebrated, now lay forgotten, gathering dust in the corners of her workshop. The market, once bustling with eager buyers, was now choked with cheaper, mass-produced fabrics. Elara felt trapped, her artistry suffocated by the relentless pursuit of happiness. She sought it in fleeting pleasures, in the applause of fleeting crowds, but the emptiness remained.
She’d read whispers of a philosopher, a recluse known only as the Weaver of Righteousness, who claimed that happiness wasn’t a destination but a byproduct. It wasn’t something to chase, but something to cultivate through the unwavering pursuit of righteousness. Intrigued, Elara sought him out, finding him in a secluded cottage, surrounded by meticulously crafted tools.
“You seek happiness, Elara?” the Weaver asked, his eyes twinkling with ancient wisdom. “But happiness is a fragile thing, easily shattered by the storms of desire. Righteousness, on the other hand, is a fortress, built on the foundation of integrity, compassion, and unwavering purpose.”
Elara, disheartened by her failed attempts at chasing happiness, voiced her doubts. “But how can I be righteous when my heart is filled with this gnawing emptiness?”
The Weaver smiled gently. “The emptiness is not the enemy. It is the void that allows for the profoundest of fillings. Righteousness isn’t about perfect virtue, Elara. It’s about striving for the best in every action, every thought, every breath. It’s about acknowledging the flaws within yourself, and striving to mend them, not to erase them.”
He led her to a small, neglected corner of the cottage. There, amidst the dust and debris, lay a broken loom, its threads tangled and frayed. “This loom,” he explained, “represents your heart, fractured by the relentless pursuit of happiness. To mend it, you must first acknowledge its broken state.”
Elara, overcome with emotion, began to mend the loom, thread by thread. She didn’t seek perfection; she focused on the present task, on the methodical repair. As she worked, she felt a quiet strength emerge within her. She realized that righteousness wasn’t about avoiding imperfections, but about embracing them, learning from them, and striving to be better with each passing moment.
Days turned into weeks, and Elara’s loom, once broken, became a masterpiece of intricate design. She didn’t seek accolades, but her work, imbued with the essence of her newfound righteousness, resonated with a depth that captivated the hearts of those who saw it. The market, once indifferent, now eagerly awaited her tapestries, recognizing the purity of her craft.
Elara didn’t find happiness as a destination; it blossomed as a consequence of her journey towards righteousness. It wasn’t a reward for her striving, but a natural outgrowth of it. And in the quiet hum of her loom, in the satisfaction of her work, Elara found a profound, lasting peace. The happiness trap was broken, not by escaping it, but by confronting it head-on with the strength of righteousness.
Shalom
Ambassador Monday Oreojo Ogbe
