Happiness
1: The Way to Begin Again | Scene 2: You Are What You Do | Day 5 of 6
And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
- Mark 1:11The words feel almost impossible in their simplicity. Jesus has done nothing spectacular yet—no teaching, no healing, no confronting demons or calming storms.
By the world’s standards, he has lived a small life in an unseen town. But then heaven speaks:
“You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
These are not words of evaluation. They’re words of enjoyment.
People often read this passage as theology. But imagine it as relationship: Father to Son, with no pressure or conditions.
Last night, one of my young adult sons walked into the kitchen at 10:30 pm to make a meal.
My wife and I were in the living room watching television, but as soon as I heard him rooting around for food, I paused the show. All I wanted was to be with him for a minute.
I didn’t need anything from him. I just wanted to hear about his day, to enjoy his presence for a moment. Just knowing he was near made me happy.
My feeling was a far cry from how I reacted before he was born. When my wife told me we were expecting our fourth child, I basically responded, “My life is over.”
Not my proudest moment.
But let’s be honest: I was overwhelmed. Many young parents are. I felt the famous Jim Gaffigan joke: “Want to know what it is like to have four kids? Imagine you’re drowning...and then someone hands you a baby.”
Many days, all I could see was obligation: the work, the money, the sleepless nights. I still thought happiness was something you pursue, and parenting at times seemed like the opposite of that.
I was missing the point entirely.
Everyone is searching for happiness. We look for it in achievements, money, the ideal relationship, or the perfect time balance of work and rest. Deep down, though, what we are looking for is something more—to be fully known and fully loved.
That is what Jesus experienced at His baptism.
Before He performed a single miracle, preached a single sermon, or called a single disciple, God declared His love for Him.
Jesus didn’t achieve God’s love. He already had it. And so do we.
The heart of Christianity is a love relationship in which God is pleased, and we are content.
Faith isn’t a checklist. The point of faith isn’t what we do. It is not about impressing God. It is about enjoying Him and realizing He enjoys us too.
Olympian Eric Liddell said, “When I run, I feel His pleasure.” He didn’t run to earn God’s love. He ran because he already had it. The Westminster Shorter Catechism puts it plainly:
Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.
Think about that:
Not appease Him.
Not prove yourself to Him.
Not even to serve Him.
But, to simply enjoy Him.
Wow, we overcomplicate religion. What if it is as simple as enjoying God? Imagine a God who delights in you, just because you’re His. Mark’s Gospel builds to this moment intentionally:
Hey, there is a prophecy from old…
A messenger prepares the way…
He preaches preparation and repentance…
Jesus comes to fulfill the promise…
And the Father declares, “I am pleased.”
This is the end goal of everything: God’s pleasure.
Your purpose isn’t to impress God. It is to enjoy Him. And when we enjoy Him, we discover He enjoys us. When God is happy, we are happy.
When Jesus rises from the water, the Father doesn’t give Him an assignment.
He gives Him affection.
Before the miracles, before the crowds, before the cross, the very first thing Jesus receives is love.
True happiness isn’t something you chase. It’s something spoken over you.
God’s delight comes before your doing.
Pray
Lord, thank You for inviting me into Your presence. Help me to stop chasing happiness and start resting in Your love. Teach me to enjoy You, knowing that You enjoy me. Amen.
Live It
Content: Think of a moment when you felt completely content in a relationship. What made it special?
Imagine: Now imagine that is how God feels about you.
This week, pause. Take a walk in nature. Try to time with God. Not to do something, but just to be with Him.
Where We Are: Season 1 | Scene 2 of 6 | Day 5 of 6
Next: Day Six posts Saturday, January 31, 2026
Coming Soon: After this scene, we’ll move to Scene Three: The Lie That Life Shouldn’t Hurt