Dalmatians are white dogs with many black spots on them. This is the kind of dog that many fire departments used to have because of their ability to get along with horses. Sometimes they rode on the horse-drawn fire engines; at other times they raced through the streets next to the horses.
Nikki is the name of the dalmatian in our picture. She is a nice dog and very friendly. She will put her paws on your chest and want you to hug her.
When she sees a flashlight, she gets very excited. She likes to chase the spot of light and will race around trying to catch the spot. If you shine the light up on the wall and across the ceiling, Nikki will stand on her hind legs and try to reach it. It is a lot of fun to watch her do this.
While I was tying my shoelace the sun reflected off my watch. Suddenly Nikki raced across the room to catch the spot of light that was moving on the wall. She tried to bite it but could never reach it. When she got close to the spot it shone on her back, and then she couldn’t find it.
“Silly dog,” you might be saying, but are you doing the same kind of thing? Do you think you can find real happiness and peace in the things of this world? What are you chasing? Pleasure? The Bible says that the pleasures of sin are just for a season (Hebrews 11:25). They will only last a short while and they do not really satisfy. Soon you are looking for something else.
Is it money you want? How much would be enough? The richest man who ever lived, King Solomon, said, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.” Ecclesiastes 5:10. No, you would not be content with money. It cannot keep you happy.
King Solomon tried many ways to find real happiness in this world. God had given him wisdom, riches and honor. He used these to try to find happiness, but he could not find it. He said, “All is vanity [emptiness] and vexation of spirit [like chasing the wind].” Ecclesiastes 1:14. It’s just like Nikki chasing the spots and never catching them.
No, you cannot find real and lasting happiness, satisfaction and peace in this world. The wisest and richest king could not find it, and neither can you nor I.
Then where can we go to find this happiness, peace and satisfaction? King Solomon gives good advice in Ecclesiastes 12:1: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”
Who is your Creator? JESUS! “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.” Colossians 1:16.
God knew what we needed and that we could not find peace and happiness ourselves. He sent His Son, Jesus, to seek and to save us from our sins. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. Being free from your sins and enjoying the love and care of the Lord Jesus who was punished for your sins instead of you gives true happiness, satisfaction and peace.
Here is what some believers said about Jesus. Peter, a fisherman: “Unto you... which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7. Paul, in prison: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. John, in exile (prison): “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20. Two discouraged disciples: “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us... while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32.
Will you come to Jesus to find real happiness, peace and satisfaction? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.
Will you do it now? Then you can live for Him and tell others where true happiness is found.
ML-07/12/1992