Finding the Happy Place

In 2nd Chronicles 9, we read the comments by a visitor to King Solomon, the Queen of Sheba, who
made some observations about the happiness of those who served the King:
5 Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.
6 However I did not believe their words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half of the greatness of your wisdom was not told me. You exceed the fame of which I heard.
7 Happy are your men and happy are these your servants, who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!
8 Blessed be the Lord your God, who delighted in you, setting you on His throne to be king for the Lord your God! Because your God has loved Israel, to establish them forever, therefore He made you king over them, to do justice and righteousness."

The Bible speaks in Psalm 37 about "delighting" in the Lord.  God has a life in store for us that is centered on Him, in which we can experience His love, peace...and joy.  Jesus told His disciples that even in times of tribulation, they were to "be of good cheer."  Our joy is something that is long-lasting and authentic, that is not governed by the external circumstances, but abides in our hearts - and that is evidenced by the way we live and the attitude we display.

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In Isaiah chapter 12, we read a passage that indicates that we can be joyful in the Lord:
2 Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; 'For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.' "
3 Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day you will say: "Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted.
5 Sing to the Lord, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earth.

Well, during this week when way too much attention is focused on the macabre, why not talk about a city pronounced "eerie," as in Erie, a city in Pennsylvania.  According to the latest Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index, things in Erie are apparently rather unhappy. Realtor.com reported on the survey and listed the top 10 cities in America that are considered to be the "Happiest," and the top 10 "Unhappiest."  Erie was #2 in the unhappy column.

Says who?  And why?  Let's turn to an explanation on the survey's website:

The Well-Being Index measures Americans' perceptions of their lives and their daily experiences through five interrelated elements that make up well-being: sense of purpose, social relationships, financial security, relationship to community, and physical health.

So, apparently the #1 "happy" city placed high in several of these categories.  Realtor.com states:

Chalk it up to the area's killer combo of great weather, wealth, and health.

"Collier County, where Naples is located, has the highest per capita income in the state," explains real estate attorney Bob Tankel. "Keep in mind that boxer Joe Louis once said, 'I don't like money very much, but it calms my nerves.' Collier County also ranks second in health outcomes and third in length of life. So money may not buy happiness, but if you have money and health, there's little reason to be unhappy."

I'll address that comment a bit later.  The story also says that the top 3 happy places are: Naples, Barnstable, MA, and Santa Cruz, CA, which are all vacation destinations.  Rounding out the top 5 are Honolulu, HI, and Charlottesville, VA.

Now, let's go to that "unhappy" list - the "top 5" or "bottom 5," depending upon how you look at it are 5) Flint, MI, 4) Chico, CA, 3) Beaumont, TX, 2) Erie, PA, and 1)...wait for it...Montgomery, Alabama!

You could definitely say these survey results are up for debate.  And, as Realtor.com points out: "if there's a silver lining to living in an unhappy place, it's that real estate there is a deal! Case in point: The median listing price for a home in "happy" Naples is $400,000; for down-and-out Montgomery, it's a mere $129,000."

Realtor Cara Armeer says that: "The better climates drive job growth due to tourism or businesses that want to relocate there," adding, "This draws newcomers to the area, who are open to meeting new people and hence want to bring their time, talent, and energy to the community instead of looking for a way out. One factor continues to feed the other and so on..."

OK, so it can be hot in Montgomery - today's high in the 80's in November.  But, to rate the desirability of an area, it seems that you have to consider the moral and spiritual climate of a community, and we find that Montgomery and surrounding areas rate highly, at least in my book. The home cost reflects the cost-of-living, I would say, which contributes toward financial security.  We have top notch health care, and great economic engines in the military and state government sectors. We might not have an abundance of tourist attractions, but with regard to relationships, our churches, a strength of the River Region, provide great opportunities for fellowship.

Seems these ratings of well-being might indicate that people need to be educated about what true happiness actually is.  Contrary to what the gentleman said about money and health providing little reason to be unhappy, our happiness is composed not only of the externals, but the internals as well. We have to ask, what satisfies us?  What produces the Biblical concept of joy in our lives?

I believe people are seeking for fulfillment, for purpose, as that first criteria suggests.  The believer in Christ can be rooted in the purpose that comes from knowing that he or she is a child of God. Our happiness should be determined by our relationship with God, Who provides the foundation for our decisions and our relationships.  And, we can discover the fruit of the Spirit, the spiritual concept of joy in our hearts as He is put in the primary position in our lives.  Because, the externals cannot give us that joy and the loss of material possessions cannot take that joy away - it's fixed, rooted in Christ.