November 16, 2017 - Ahhh, the good life! Some think they have it. Others feel everyone but them have it. And all of us are trying to achieve it. But if you ask 10 people what it means to have the good life, or what it takes to attain the good life, you would get ten different answers. So there in lies the problem. "The good life" means different things to different people. What may be the perfect life for me may be horrible for you and vice/verse. So what is the "good life"?
First there are those who believe that "looking good" is the "key" to the good life. People in this country spend billions of dollars each year on ways to try and make themselves look good. They somehow believe that if they are the right weight, have the perfect tan, have the right hair style, that is going to make life good for them. They even go so far as having surgeries and injections to improve their looks, but still the good life eludes them. Because no matter what you do, time and gravity cause looks to eventually fade.
Then there are those who feel they would be living the good life if they could find something that would make them "feel good". So they try all manner of things to make them feel good. Some use drugs, alcohol, sex, music, even religion to try and feel good. But we were never meant to live by following our "feelings". The saying, "If it feels good do it" can cause more harm to our well being than it helps.
Last, there are those who believe having "goods" leads to the good life. They spend their whole life trying to attain things. All there time, money and effort go into getting the "stuff" they think will make them happy. The latest phone, newest car, biggest house, nicest boat, trophy wife/husband, whatever toy they think they have to have to help them attain the good life. But things too, are temporary and fleeting. The good life doesn't come through things.
Jesus presents a much different view of what it means to live the good life. He says that the good life is not based on looks, feelings, or things. He states that living the good life has to do with being good, and doing good for others. When you are being good and doing good you are going to feel good, and the smile on your face is going to make you look good. Jesus tells us in Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you". When we seek God first in all we do, it gives our life purpose and meaning. We were created to be good and do good for others, and nothing will improve our perception of ourselves and our lives than living life for that purpose.
I know your asking, how do I know this? Well in Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." So this tells me that if we are created for the good life and can live it, if we are willing to live according to His plan. So stop trying to create the good life by looks, feelings, and things. Start being good and doing good as a child of God and all these other things will come. Now that's the good life!
I'm Just sayin
Mike Belgard
