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"And so, we keep seeking happiness—not because we are naïve, 

but because it is written into the fabric of who we are."

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Searching for a movie that did not feature, sex, violence and occult, we came across the refreshing  Indian film Bajrangi Bhaijaan last night. In it, we witness a heart-warming tale of humanity triumphing over borders and prejudice. The story follows Pawan, a kind-hearted Indian man, as he embarks on a perilous journey to return Shahida, a mute Pakistani girl stranded in India, to her family. The narrative takes the audience through moments of intense struggle and emotional depth, culminating in a deeply satisfying and joyous resolution. The final scene, where Shahida miraculously regains her voice to call out to Pawan, solidifies the film’s happy ending—a celebration of love, kindness, and unity triumphing over adversity.

Yet, as the credits roll and the emotions linger, one might wonder why such stories resonate so universally. Why do we crave happy endings, not only in films like Bajrangi Bhaijaan but also in the books we read and the tales we pass down through generations? This universal longing for happiness raises profound existential questions. Are these narratives merely escapism, or do they reveal something deeper about our human nature? C.S. Lewis, the Christian apologist and author, offered a compelling answer: perhaps our longing for happiness points to a reality beyond this life.

From birth, humans gravitate toward joy. As infants, we cry to have our needs met, smiling instinctively when we are comforted. This innate drive doesn’t diminish with age; it evolves. We seek happiness in relationships, careers, art, and faith. Even our consumption of stories, whether in books or films, reflects this longing. We resonate with characters who struggle and yearn for resolution, just as we do in our own lives. Their triumphs reassure us that happiness is attainable.

Yet, reality often tells a different story. Suffering, failure, and loss are woven into the human experience. Life does not always tie itself into neat conclusions. Tragedy strikes unexpectedly, and unresolved pain lingers. In this tension between our longing for happiness and the harshness of life, a profound existential question emerges: why are we so drawn to happiness if it is so fleeting?

C.S. Lewis observed that humans possess desires that no earthly experience can fully satisfy. We crave happiness, permanence, and fulfilment, yet everything in this life is transient. Lewis argued that this incongruity suggests we were not made for this world alone. As he famously wrote, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”

This perspective aligns with many religious and philosophical traditions that view earthly life as a precursor to something greater. The Bible speaks of a future where God will wipe away every tear, and pain and sorrow will cease (Revelation 21:4). In this view, our yearning for happiness is not a flaw but a clue—a whisper of eternity embedded in our souls.

Stories like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, with their happy endings, play a vital role in reminding us of this deeper reality. They echo the structure of hope and redemption central to human experience. When we see the hero overcome adversity or love conquer hate, we are reminded of the possibility that our own struggles might not be in vain. Stories offer a glimpse of what Lewis called the "far-off country," the eternal joy for which we are made.

Even tragedies, which do not end happily, serve this purpose in a different way. They evoke a longing for justice, reconciliation, or healing that was left unfulfilled. This dissatisfaction points us beyond the here and now, awakening in us the desire for a world where such wrongs are made right.

Why are we programmed for happiness? Evolutionary psychology might argue that our pursuit of joy ensures survival and reproduction, while philosophy might suggest that happiness is the highest good, as Aristotle believed. But these explanations, while helpful, fail to address the profound depth of human longing.

Our programming for happiness seems spiritual in nature, tied to our capacity for love, creativity, and transcendence. It is not mere instinct; it is the signature of a Creator who designed us with eternity in mind. As Augustine of Hippo wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.

While happy endings in stories offer comfort, real life is rarely so tidy. Yet this does not diminish the importance of our longing for happiness. Instead, it invites us to see life as a journey—a story still being written. Just as a novel’s climax often follows its darkest moments, our struggles may be preparing us for a resolution beyond this life.

Whether one believes in an eternal future or not, the human longing for happiness remains a profound and universal truth. It drives our stories, shapes our choices, and gives meaning to our lives. If Lewis was right, and our desires point us toward another world, then every happy ending we encounter is a signpost, urging us to lift our gaze beyond the temporary to the eternal.

And so, we keep seeking happiness—not because we are naïve, but because it is written into the fabric of who we are. Perhaps, as Lewis suggested, this quest is not merely for happiness but for the source of all joy itself. For in the end, every story is a reflection of the greatest story: a journey from longing to fulfilment, from brokenness to redemption, and from time into eternity.

“And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise"  Luke 23:43 (BSB).