A Happy Life
A man of wealth came to the Lord and said,
“Tell me why it is that I should follow you. I have all that life can offer and joy fills each day; mine is a happy life.”
Jesus asked,
Is it happiness to feast on pleasure and enjoyment?
The man looked at Jesus and listened.
Though content with stars at night you know not the warmth of day.
If you discover that all you possess and enjoy are silken cords that enslave; how shall you attain freedom?
The man looked troubled.
“But I have prayed to God for a life of success, one in which all who know me can speak of me with respect and admiration. This has been my quest and I have accomplished much in its pursuit.”
A quest for yourself alone hides your light; it is a quest for darkness. Do you believe God serves you and no one else?
When you pray to God then pray for the good of everyone; not what shall please you alone.
Can you care for more than you?
“I see something of what you say. Even so, why should I give up such happiness?”
Look at your life; is it not like a raft on a calm sea? Shall it prevail against storms? How much can your raft withstand before it founders and sinks?
The man began to see the blows that life could give, and he saw that some would shatter him. Slowly and with understanding he said,
“I see. I see, too, that it is not easy to be free for these calm waters bring a comfort that is hard to resist. What is the way?”
You are like the blind man that does not see the light of day. Yet without his sight still he can feel the warmth of the sun.
Your amusements are like stars; although stars shine in beauty they stay not the cold of night.
What in your life now warms you?
Do you know of God's mercy?
“Master, I understand your words yet I do not grasp the fullness of ‘mercy’ as you say it.”
The mercy of which I speak is that of God holding you always in His loving care.
Turn to God, welcome His care. Stand in light that warms your heart.
The man fell silent and the Spirit revealed the truth in the words of Jesus. At length the man said,
“My happy life has fed my pride so much that I thought myself the master of my life. In truth I have little and have given less.”
“I see that what I took as proof of my success has been little more than comforts for children. The challenges I rose to face were distractions from the ones I wished to avoid. I would give up my childish ways and find the life you offer.”
Jesus studied the man for some moments and said,
The truth awakens the heart and then God's love can be known.
“Although I see goodness and love in what you say and do, I am still in darkness and know little of the life you offer?”
What life would God give to you? Will you trust God to guide you?