It’s the season of bell celebrations or school and college graduations. The bell that structured these young adults’ days throughout their education has rung for the last time. At the graduation ceremony there is, of course, the presentation of diplomas and degrees but there’s also the reading of treasured poems and the singing of a special graduation song. It is a joyful day but there’s sadness too as goodbyes are said to beloved teachers and classmates.

Equipped with an education these young adults are ready to launch into life. They have accumulated learning, grown up and are moving on. Pursuing happiness they look for jobs, buy their first cars, seek a partner and have children. This is life; filled with the dreams we all hope will bring happiness to our souls.

But I’ve noticed when we make the goal of our happiness a successful career, a smart apartment or a perfect family then we’re often disappointed. Life just doesn’t live up to our expectations.

Is it possible to be happy? The answer to that question must be yes but often we look for contentment in all the wrong places. Long-term happiness never comes from the external things. For a moment perhaps, they bring a tawdry, jangling pleasure but they can never furnish our soul’s true contentment.

So how do we find true happiness? As Christians we would say it depends on who dwells in the centre of our lives. Rooted and grounded in Christ He is the one at the core of our beings. Walking with Him each day, living our lives for Him and doing the things He asks us to do brings happiness to our souls. Not the jolly sort of cheerfulness that plasters a permanent smile onto our faces but a deep well of joy that even overcomes life’s sorrows because we all experience sadness. We all have times when sorrow enters leaving us crushed and broken. But in maintaining our relationship with God the anguish never withers us.

On the contrary the suffering we experience will cause the roots of our faith to grow deeper into God. Until, even in sorrow, we were recognise an inner joy that confidently knows God is holding us up.

Happiness doesn’t come by us seeking to control our lives —by trying to get that great job, or build the perfect family and accumulate possessions. Contentment comes when we stop pursuing happiness as a goal in itself and start pursuing God first. Then, and only then, will we find happiness present in our lives.

I am thankful for the zeal of our young friends who’ve just graduated. They are eager to experience all that the world has to offer and I pray that they will. But I also find myself asking God to give them the opportunity to hear the truth of the gospel again and meditate on His word; and learn, as I continue to learn, that by delighting ourselves in Him first we will find true contentment for our souls, and realise, even in the darkest of days, that His love is able to overcome all our sadness.