I was sitting the the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport this week killing time thanks to a long delayed flight. The airport’s version of CNN was on with Anderson Cooper 360 doing a piece on The Secret; a book, a movie and, apparently, a movement.
The synopsis seems to be that by focusing on the things you want and remaining positive, you are able to achieve anything. The book as been referred to a turbo charged version of Norman Vincent’s 1970’s classic The Power of Positive Thinking. An excerpt from the web site for The Secret:
Fragments of The Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation which will be life transforming for all who experience it.
Some of today’s greatest teachers will be presented in The Secret and will impart this special wisdom that has been known by so few. They include some of the world’s leaders in the fields of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. Each of these teachers is living proof of The Secret; each of them a walking marvel of achievement and success…
Included are; ‘Miracle Man’ Morris Goodman, who tells his awe inspiring story of how he recovered from paralysis by using The Secret. Dr. Denis Waitley, who used various aspects of The Secret in training Olympic athletes and Apollo astronauts to reach new heights of human endeavour. Best selling authors and philosophers including Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, James Ray and Joe Vitale, explain how they have created lives of phenomenal success utilising The Secret. Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics explain the science behind The Secret.
The Secret reveals amazing real life stories and testimonials of regular people who have changed their lives in profound ways. By applying The Secret they present instances of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles and achieving what many would regard as impossible.
The Secret reveals how to apply this powerful knowledge to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships.
The Secret is everything you have dreamed of… and is beyond your wildest dreams.
Books like The Secret are interesting to me because they so clearly illustrate humankind’s innate need for something outside ourselves that will lead us to happiness and contentment. We all feel a calling at some point.
What’s equally interesting to me is the number of people who launch head first into complete adoption of the tenants of self help in their lives as the only enabler for happiness.
What I don’t understand is why people are so attracted to books like “The Secret” and won’t look at the Bible.
I believe in being positive, maintaining a positive outlook and in positive thought, but I also believe that Faith in Christ is the source of positive thought and happiness.
Where “The Secret”, according to the, website, has “been discovered, coveted, suppressed, hidden, lost and recovered”, the message of redemption and joy through Christ has been freely available, always given and never hidden.
Real happiness is not found by focusing on a blank check in an effort to “will” yourself into wealth. Real happiness is found in faith and wisdom. Proverbs Chapter 3 provides an excellent summary:
3:1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: 3:2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: 3:4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
3:7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
3:8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
3:9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: 3:10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
3:11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
3:13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
God wants us to be happy. By fixing our eyes on Him, exploring His word and living His will, real happiness is achieved. The secret is, there is no secret. Salvation, happiness and joy are available to all who have a relationship with Christ.
