And a Good Time Was Had by All
Life is meant to be enjoyed. Jesus promised a full life to His followers. In a sense, eternal life is here and hereafter. Much Scripture extols the good life. Joy is a staple of the satisfied. It has been described as a peaceful kind of happiness that brings contentment even though all needs may not be met. It is not frenetic but a peaceful happiness. Nor is it the same as fun. A great mistake that many make today is confusing temporary satisfaction with the real thing.
Joy cannot be achieved in the seeking. Rather, it is a by-product of ethical living. That is why people with few possessions can rightly be called wealthy. Things do not make people ultimately happy. There is a quality to life that comes in proportion to propriety. It is passing strange that we cannot find joy by seeking it though we may find it on the road of a life well-lived. The good life is a good life. Jesus said that, in seeking the right, we obtain the rest.
So often, what is often sought in the name of fulfillment doesn’t meet expectations. Our day is characterized by frustration and fruitlessness. The satisfying of the flesh is not the satisfying of the soul. Joy is not a destination but a journey. However, the journey must be worthwhile if it is to give meaning to our existence. Seldom will you find gratification in what has been done, but often will you find victory in the doing.
I hope we aspire to more in our lives than “having a good time.” If we want a life of hope and meaning, we will have to lose ourselves in a cause greater than ourselves. There must be a reason why and a way to live for us to be worthy of the lives God has given. The Bible teaches us that all things associated with this world are passing away. They were never meant to last. Doing the will of God is what matters in this life and the next.
In time, we recognize real value. Once a friend of mine asked a salesman if the automobile he was considering was silver or grey. The man replied, “That depends on whether you’re buying or selling.” Even things that present themselves well lose their sheen at last. For me, God’s cause and His values are what really matter. They are not deteriorating but growing in luster. They provide a glimpse of future glory and a glimmer of present light.
As we make our journey, the path of Christ-followers becomes clearer as the day wanes and the world darkens. As we walk in the light, we understand the meaning of life and true joy. The manner in which we travel becomes the key to unlocking the storehouse of God’s bounty. We become happy and at peace. Joy flows to us because we have not lived for ourselves but for a great cause. The joy within finds outward expression, and our lives are filled with glory.
Sterl
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