Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. (Psalm 1: 1-3)

American culture delights in illusion. Television, film, and the web provide varied escapes from reality. Some would say the same of our political life. Happiness is often perceived as the ability to separate from the challenges of reality and to wrap ourselves in a comforting cocoon of self-selected entertainment.

The Hebrew generally translated as happy is a family of verbs: 'esher, 'asher, and related. All of these words deal with walking, making progress, going straight. Happiness is closing in on a goal, achieving purpose, fulfilling intention. The happiness of the psalms comes from engaging reality, especially the ultimate reality of God.

Jesus regularly chose to separate himself from the world in order to reconnect with the ultimately real. Jesus sought to draw us away from a dangerous dependence on shallow waters of illusion and bring us to deep waters of reality. Jesus did not seek superficial success. He was committed to the achievement of profound happiness.