17 Jan, 2007
"Happyness" or joy?
The Pursuit of Happyness
Set in San Francisco in the wealth-obsessed 1980s, The Pursuit of Happyness (the misspelling is addressed in the film) tells the true story of Chris Gardner (Will Smith), a salesman striving to support his family by selling high-tech bone-density scanners, into which he ill-advisedly poured his life savings, to doctors who are less than interested.
When his wife Linda (Thandie Newton) walks out leaving Chris to support their five-year-old son Christopher (Jaden Smith), things take a turn for the worse and father and son are evicted from their home and forced on to the streets where they spend their nights in homeless shelters and public restrooms.
Inspired to try his luck at becoming a stockbroker in a bid to secure a better life for his son, Chris talks his way into a competitive six-month internship at Dean Witter. The trouble is there is no pay and only one of the 20 students on the programme is offered a permanent job at the end.
With a son to take care of, no income and no home, the odds are stacked against Chris as he toils to finish his work before his fellow students so he can pick up his son from the day care centre in time to queue for a place in the local shelter. But in this inspiring tale of triumph against adversity he somehow manages to pull through and finally find his own happiness.
Action hero Will Smith leaves the guns and fast cars behind to star alongside his own son, seven-year-old son Jaden, in what is by far his most conservative film so far. Famed for his previous roles in movies such as Independence Day and Men in Black, Smith delivers a beautiful and understated performance that proves he can do more than just action and comedy.
photo & story courtesy inthenews.co.uk, 01/12/07
Philippians 4:11-13
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about how to experience joy even when we don't feel happy?
The apostle Paul understood and lived out an amazing truth about abiding in Jesus Christ. Happiness is based on experiencing good circumstances, but joy is what we have through Christ in spite of life's circumstances.
Paul was content in any circumstance he faced because he could see life from God's point of view. The key was to draw on Christ's power for strength whether he had plenty or whether he was in need. Paul was full of joy, because his perspective was, "I'll trust God, no matter what."
In the movie, The Pursuit Of Happyness, Will Smith's character demonstrates incredible inner strength to keep striving in the middle of awful circumstances.
For you and me, the only way to be sure we have inner strength is through abiding in Jesus continually. In Christ, we can be full of joy even when we don't feel happy.
How about you? No matter what life's circumstances you face, can you trust Christ to give you His joy?
How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Confess to your heavenly Father any way in which you need to admit discontent. If you struggle with often wanting more, ask His Spirit to remove that desire and give you contentment in all circumstances. Thank Him for loving you, meeting your needs, and providing lasting joy!
- This next week, every time you feel unhappy, stop and ask yourself why? If it's about some expectation that isn't being met, pray for strength to face your disappointment and get ready for God's joy.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
Go see the movie, The Pursuit Of Happyness, with some friends or family members who need to know Jesus. In the conversation following the movie, you will not only learn more about their stories (and view of happiness), but you will probably find it easy to talk a little bit about your story in Christ. Explain the difference between "happyness" and joy.
- July 2008 [17]
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- December 2006 [5]
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