What Makes Life Worth Living?
If I were to ask you that question, what would be your response? Hopefully pictures of your family would come to mind first, then perhaps you would think of some of the other things in your life that bring you joy! No one would answer that it’s the problems they face or the devastating events that sneak up in our lives. Certainly, the resounding answers would be things that bring "joy"!
Think about it a minute more though. What is it about your family that brings you joy? What is it about your career? What is about anything that brings you joy?
For to me, to live is Christ [He is my source of joy, my reason to live] and to die is gain [for I will be with Him in eternity].Philippians 1:21 (AMP)
While I may not be on a fast track to meet the Lord in the heavenliness, I have to admit that the things that cause me joy are things that have been perfected by my having a relationship with the Lord. I have lived in a fractured family, who would hurt each other, choosing pain over their willingness to give up their right to doing things their own way. I have gone through severe trials trying to establish a career path that said would give me security. I have had what I thought were friends that turned out not to be.
While family, friends and career are major components of our lives, without the help of the Lord they can be part of a painful, meaningless existence. What brings joy in our lives and makes life worth living is the Spirit of God moving in and through our family, our friends, and our career. And to be honest, the joy that comers from knowing Christ makes even difficult times better. We know we’re going to get through it, because "He’s that kind of friend". Yes, a mother song has come to mind:
(A Portion from: He’s That Kind of Friend)
…He’ll walk right in front of you
To always protect you,
So the devil can’t do you no harm.
He’s faithful everyday
To help you along the way;
He’s that kind of friend.
He’ll walk right in front of you
To always protect you,
(So the devil can’t do you no harm).
If within your heart you take Him in,
New life will begin, (He’s) that kind of friend, oh.
Songwriters: Walter HawkinsHe’s That Kind of Friend lyrics © Bud John Music, Walter Hawkins Music
And that my friend, will give you joy!
Maria