As the baby of the family, I grew up thinking the world revolved around me. It helped that I was this cute, stringy, blonde-haired, blue-eyed girl with the biggest grin and the most hilarious laugh. It’s true—I even received “The Most Hilarious Laugh” award from my kindergarten teacher. My mom called me her sunshine because I could light up the room and bring joy, which helped her forget the hardship of being married to an alcoholic.
Yet, somewhere between those far-off adolescent years and my mid-forties, I’ve had many great awakenings, sometimes in my marriage or as a mom, sometimes at the stop light or work—it’s not about me. It’s about others. More specifically, it’s about pointing others to God, explained more accurately by the Greek word, oikos. Oikos is a complex word that translates directly as household or family. Still, when used in the Biblical sense, it refers to the people in our life that we directly impact and ultimately find God because of us:
“Similarly, let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16 ESV
As a child, I found pleasure in making others happy, yet as I got older, I tried to make myself happy by living for myself, opposite of what Philippians 2:13-14 ESV directs us to do:
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
How are we to impact our oikos for Jesus if we live each day for ourselves? What if, instead of spending so much time trying to figure out how to be happy, we started trying to figure out how to make others happy? Instead, we complicate things by convincing ourselves that there’s a specific formula for happiness, like the key to happiness is some kind of secret. We search high and low, looking for happiness, refusing to accept the answer that’s right in front of us.
Before Jesus died, the disciples asked Him what the greatest commandment was. Jesus responded: the first and greatest commandment is to love God, but there is a second command, and that is to love others. (Matthew 22:36-40)
Most people are more concerned with self-gratification—what will make them happy? We attempt to make happiness our purpose in life. Yet, the Bible tells us that love is the only real means to our end goal. Love leads to joy beyond all measure. If you truly want to be happy and take hold of his abundant blessings, you must start with loving and serving your oikos.
Galatians 5:13-14 ESV says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “you shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Who are you living for? The secret to a happy life is actually found in living for others, putting others first, and making everyday choices that consider how they’ll impact others—especially your oikos.
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” John 14:21 ESV
Yes, serving others, living life, and making choices in consideration of others are the keys to lifelong happiness.
Connect with Jen:
https://www.jenniferjabbour.com
https://www.instagram.com/jenjabbour/
About the Author:
Jennifer Jabbour resides in the scenic San Diego countryside with her husband, adult son, teen daughter, and their hilarious English Bulldog. Jennifer is the author of two books, 31 Days to a Stronger Quiet Time: Your Guide to Developing a Personal Quiet Time Routine and Journey to Christmas: Unwrapping the Christmas Story in 25 Days. Jennifer’s mission is to equip and empower women to clarify their vision and to boldly step forward in response to God’s calling on their lives. She also encourages others to seek God first in all they do and experience His abundance. Jennifer has a B.A. in Integrated Business Communications and is a Go + Tell Gals licensed life coach. Jennifer is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and an avid outdoorswoman.
