Your complete happiness in life is down to one simple question

Aristotle believed that the whole purpose of life was to be happy. He said, ‘Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim, and the end of human existence.’ (Of course, Aristotle didn’t know Jesus.) Harvard University is still running a decades-long study, started in 1938, with the express purpose of finding the secret to happiness. Countless papers and books have been written about it. But like the apostle Paul, Christians look for something more lasting than happiness - the deeper, longer lasting state of contentment, even in the unhappiest of circumstances (4 Philippians: 11-13). Marcel Schwantes, the Chief Executive of a global leadership training company that teaches ‘Servant Leadership’, writes that getting the right answer to one simple question is foundational.

In 1938 Harvard researchers embarked on a decades-long study to find The Secret to Happiness. The researchers collected health records from 724 participants from around the world and asked detailed questions about their lives at two-year intervals. Contrary to what some might think, their findings are that the secret to happiness is not professional achievement, money, exercise or a healthy diet, but 85 years of study have revealed that it is found in positive relationships, which make people happier and healthier and help them live longer.

This is confirmed by a body of research showing that without good relationships people suffer. Poor social relationships (characterized by social isolation or loneliness) is associated with around a 50% increased risk of dementia, 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke. Clearly, loneliness is not conducive to contentment. In the Scriptures we are commanded to care for one another, and Jesus said that the second most important commandment is to love one another as we do ourselves.

Marcel Schwantes’ question points to another Scriptural imperative. The aim of his company is to coach and train emerging leaders in the skills to build great cultures where people and businesses flourish. ‘Our secret source is Servant Leadership,’ says the webpage, and he hosts the ‘Love in Action’ pod cast, in conversation with the world’s top influencers to demonstrate how practical and actionable love creates real business advantage’. You can listen to the conversation here

His work is to develop business leaders, but the question he asks not only reflects Scripture but is relevant to all of us at all times. It is – Am I doing the work that I want to do?

When I first read the question I thought of someone I know who is a successful lawyer, with an excellent reputation. Yet all his life he has hated (not too strong a word!) the world of law - the injustice, the corruption, its corrosive adversarial nature. He wanted to be a musician but his father insisted on him studying law, and now, years later, he lives with a level of bitterness and regret where happiness is a breakthrough, and contentment elusive. Yet, had law been his ‘calling’ he would have been equipped for it and better able to cope with the dark side.

You experience ‘your heart’s deepest gladness’ when you find yourself doing what you were created for.

For all work has negative elements. In his new book, ‘The Last Lap’, Dr John Wyatt, former consultant neonatologist and researcher who now addresses ethical issues, writes that knowing that you are doing what God has purposed for you helps even in the saddest times, even when helping a dying baby for example.

‘You experience ‘your heart’s deepest gladness’ when you find yourself doing what you were created for,’ he writes. Ephesians 2:10 shows how God has equipped each one of us for our unique ‘works’.

Whether or not he realises it, Marcel Schwantes is building up leaders and work culture by teaching Scriptural principles.

As I was writing this article I came across ‘A Prayer for the One Questioning Their Calling’. It was by writer Alicia Searl, who had been challenged by a friend about how she knew that writing was God’s will for her. She didn’t instinctively jump to Ephesians 2:10. (I intend to write to her!) But she thought about it and answered, ‘I can assure you of this – when I pull up to my computer and place my fingers upon that keyboard, I am met with His words, not mine. He is with me. I feel Him, and it’s such a precious time to me.’ Then she continues, ‘The truth about our calling is that God will always prepare the way and plants desires in our hearts to glorify him; all we have to do is submit.’

We can all say a loud AMEN to that!