When you think of popularity what comes to mind? Most people will conjure up mental images of star athletes that took their school to states, influencers with an instagram grid full of exotic vacations and expensive outfits, or even effortlessly charismatic comedians that can make a crowd laugh with ease.

As a sixth grader, I was convinced that popularity would make me the happiest person in North Carolina. I passionately desired it so I mapped-out a perfect plan towards popularity. It wasn’t athletics, fashion, or comedy; it was far more imaginative. I was going to amaze my classmates with magic. You read that right. I truly thought that magic tricks were my golden ticket to the cool table. I committed myself to the study of magic by practicing card tricks in my room until sunrise and spending all my money on some random website called magic penguin.

Honestly, I got pretty good. After months of practice I was ready to preform for my adolescent audience. During gym class, I gathered a group ready to have their minds blown. I encouraged an eighth grader to pick a card, any card. I know, it’s not super original. Then I proceeded to have her sign the card and put it back in the deck. As the suspense built, I revealed a card asking “is this your card?” It wasn’t — I knew that though.

With dramatic flare worthy of an Oscar, I feigned frustration and flung the entire deck at the wall. All the cards collapsed onto the wooden floor, except one single card. Her signed card miraculously stuck to the wall. Well, I used double-sided tape to do it. Take that, David Blaine! I pulled it off perfectly. I was on the fast track to fame. Happiness was just around the corner.

However, it didn’t go like I imagined. No one clapped. No one cheered. No one accused me of being a wizard. They all just laughed and mocked me relentlessly. Even the girl whose card I revealed scoffed and said, “you’re so lame.” She didn’t just say my trick was lame, she said that I was lame. It was a personal attack. I faked a stomach ache, went to the office and had my mom take me home that day. While playing hooky for half a week, I threw all my magic tricks in the trash.

Everyone is on the pursuit of happiness. We have an unwritten list of things that we think will bring joy — popularity, a new car, a significant other or even an epic vacation. However, all of those things are temporary. Popularity can disappear with one cheesy magic trick. New cars quickly become used cars. Your girlfriend may decide to break up with you over break. Vacations only last a few days. The pursuit of happiness can make us feel helpless. When you try to produce happiness with popularity, people, or possessions, it will inevitably lead to feelings of emptiness, sadness, and loneliness.

When Jesus was just starting His ministry, He kicked it off with an epic sermon on the edge of a mountain. We call it the Sermon on the Mount. Clever, right? Jesus starts His message by offering us eight keys to happiness. When you dive into this passage, you’ll discover that it’s an unconventional path to happiness by the world’s standards.

READ: Matthew 5:5
“God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.”

We call this passage the “beatitudes” based on the latin word for “blessing.” Many versions of the Bible translate this passage to say “blessed are the meek.” Meek is a word that has shifted in meaning over time. It’s now considered to mean timid or weak. That’s not the case though. Meekness is not weakness, it’s a sign of strength. Many translators suggest that the most authentic meaning of this challenge is “Happy are the humble.” Basically, you will experience God-given blessings when you choose to humble yourself.

Jesus is giving you the key to happiness — humility.

Humility simply means putting God and others before yourself. C.S. Lewis explained that, “humility isn’t thinking less of yourself, rather it’s thinking of yourself less.” Humility challenges us to quickly apologize, serve others, and ask for help. Constantly think of other peoples’ needs over your own. You will quickly see that this is a better way to live, as your life will become better balanced. Humility is the key to happiness.

Start with a heart of humility. Start each day with prayer. Start every interaction with empathy. Be slow to argue and quick to apologize. Don’t convince yourself that you need to do everything alone. Invite people into every part of your life — even the tough ones. Humility will bring harmony to your life.
It calls you to initiate forgiveness, even when you feel like that person wronged you.
Humility encourages you to compliment that person even though you may be a little jealous.
It calls you to serve others even when you’d rather be sitting on the sofa.
Humility pushes you to admit your weaknesses and ask for help.
Humility cultivates happiness because it removes you from the center of your own life.
It allows you to be so focused on others that you don’t have time to fixate on yourself.

TALK IT OUT
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stuff.
Q1: What’s the coolest magic trick you’ve ever seen? How do you think it was done?

Q2: What do students your age typically chase to make them happy?

Q3: Think of the happiest person you know. What are they like? How do they treat others?

Q4: How does your life change when you begin to put others ahead of yourself?

Q5: Why do you think Jesus says God blesses those who are humble?

Q6: What’s one thing you can do every day this week to put others before yourself?