The Bible shares a few instances of men trying to make momma (or their love interest) happy. All of the examples that come to my mind ended badly. Adam and Eve in the garden was the start. Adam received instructions from the Lord to not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Those instructions were given before God created Eve (Genesis 2:15-25). Then, when Eve took the fruit and ate it, so did Adam, who was with her at the time (Genesis 3:6). Adam picked Eve’s desire, and his desire for her, over God’s command.
Herod, trying to earn the favor of a young woman, served up John the Baptist’s head on a platter (Matthew 14:6-12).
In Genesis chapter 16, Abram listened to his wife Sarai and took her servant, Hagar, as a second wife so that Sarai might have children through Hagar. This idea seemed good to Sarai at the time, but she almost immediately regretted it and became embittered toward Hagar and the stepson that came from this foolish plan.
All of these stories led to pain and suffering.
The saying, “If momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!” is proudly proclaimed in our culture, but believers should never make another person’s happiness (or even their own happiness) a goal. Happiness is a target that no one can hit. Happiness is like the wind, it can be enjoyed and experienced when it comes, but it can never be held onto. Chasing after happiness leads to pain and struggles like those displayed in the stories above.
Rather than trying to make momma happy, or yourself, or your husband, kids, boss, neighbors, colleagues, or friends, live to make those people holy. This is what Jesus does for us and is what we can model with each other. Eph 5:25-26, explains the way Jesus “loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word.” Believers should sacrifice for each other. They should speak and trust the cleansing truth of God’s word over each other. The goal is sanctification (usefulness in God’s kingdom), not happiness.
Pray that your mind might be cleared of fleshly motivations toward others and that your actions will lead to holiness and usefulness in the lives of the people you love.
John Riley
Jr. High Pastor