In his essay “We Have No ‘Right to Happiness’”, C.S. Lewis is fairly blunt in stating that happiness is chance, not guarantee. The essay discusses the difference between the lawful “pursuit of happiness” and the broader, moral “right to happiness”. Lewis presents us with two people, each who leave their unhappy marriages to marry each other. This couple believes that they have the right to do so because it makes them happy. It is apparent that Lewis is not so sure. After a boiled down explanation of what is meant by the pursuit of happiness and Natural and national laws, Lewis states that the topic being discussed is not general happiness, but, in fact, sexual happiness. This presents a problem for the argument that happiness is a right. In all other impulses, humans are asked to show restraint. The attempt to allow sexual freedom has caused people to see sex as something that need not be practiced with restraint. Here, Lewis says that “Absolute obedience to your instinct for self-preservation is what we call cowardice” (2).
This sentence stopped me in my tracks. In all honesty, I could care less about the rest of this essay because I love this sentence so much. Lewis destroys ever attempt any attempt at being selfish that I have ever made with these 12 words. In a world where we are bombarded by movies, songs, and advertisements about how we need to take care of ourselves and make sure that we’re ok, this sentence reverses the order. So often, I turn down opportunities to serve others because I come up with excuses like “I have a midterm coming up, I really should study for that” or “I haven’t been sleeping well, I should really take a nap”. More often than not I waste the time that I’m not serving by playing solitaire or watching TV. While I know that this is not exactly what Lewis was getting at in this essay, this sentence has been in my mind for the last two days, making me question all my motives. God calls us to love our neighbors before ourselves. This is the ultimate expression of our love for God, but we seem to forget that more often than not.
Another thing that I have thought about while reading this essay is the fickleness of our human natures. No one could guarantee that Mr. A and Mrs. B would stay happy together. It is more probable that after a year or two they would go through a rough patch and start to regret their earlier decisions. They would try to find contentment somewhere else and, ultimately, discover that the feeling of wholeness that they were looking for could not be reached. This is a trap that everyone falls into. We tell ourselves that all we need is an ‘A’ or more money or a spouse, but what we are really looking for is a strong relationship with God. Yes, the other things that we strive for can be good, but they will not fulfill us and we may need to live without them. Happiness is not a guarantee.
Corrie i like the way that you phrased happiness is not a guarantee. However, I find your examples in earthly things. Your post made me first think that if we seek Christ, not only happiness, but overwhelming joy will be our reward. I also started thinking that if we are committed to Christ and his will, doing things to glorify him will come easier to us, not that it will be easy because we are human and destined to sin, but because we feel that overwhelming love for Christ we will want to show others.
ReplyDeleteYour comments on selfishness reminded me of the author Charles Williams. I can't seem to find the exact quote right now, but he says something along the lines of "to refuse to accept the unselfishness of others is the most selfish act." We live in a world of exchange. Yes, we must give of ourselves and serve others, but we must also be open to receiving from others. We must care for others, yet never hesitate to allow ourselves to be taken care of as well.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree how fickle our human nature really is. I think that Lewis would definitely agree as well. So many things give us a short term happiness, but what really happens in the long run? Eventually, we may end up worse off than before we started doing that thing. I also agree that a strong relationship with God is the only lasting thing that can make us truly happy. After all, he is the Alpha and Omega.
ReplyDeleteI think that true happiness is really only something that we get when we seek the happiness of others. In fact, I think that the only reason God gave us the feeling of happiness is so that others can give it to us, and vice versa. I think that in this way the focus is on giving rather than taking. Nice work on your submission!
ReplyDeleteThat line took me by surprise too, but I didn't think about it any further. Now that I am, selfishness is cowardace. Stepping outside our comfort zone is bolder and is what is required to follow Christ. I recall Peter walking on water.
ReplyDelete