…and may 2007 be a good one for all of us!

For myself, almost anything has to be better than the previous two years. Sad but true. They have been tough, and rough. I guess the best thing to do with them now is save all the good from them - lessons learned, wisdom increased, the fact that the sun still shines, that life goes on, and that new opportunities of many kinds appear on awakening every morning. There is always hope… that this day will be better than the previous one, that this New Year will be better than the last. But there is far more than that to it all.

Every day is a gift. I wake up alive, I can see, I can hear, I can move. I have food to eat, a place to call home, family and friends who love me, and useful things to be doing. I am needed and wanted and even more than that, a book given me for Christmas by a good friend bears the author’s personalized inscription “J—, God loves you!” I believe him. Amazing but true.

What do you think is your purpose in being alive? I am sure your answer will be related to your world view. Is it to be happy and have enough things go well so you stay happy? Or has it nothing to do with that?

While wishing you all a Happy New Year, I also know that (from my Christian world view) one’s purpose in life does not centre around happiness. We are creatures of the Creator and our purpose is linked to His Will for each one of us. The Presbyterians will say we are here “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever” and that makes sense to me. It is not about US - it is about HIM and who He is. Instead of seeking our own happiness, we are told to deny ourselves in faithful service to Him. But that is not as bad as it sounds as ultimate rewards are in store…

Matthew 16: 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”

And even although my last two years were tough and rough, one important lesson I learned was that personal happiness and self-seeking can be forfeited and when done so for Him, the reward is even better - His joy and His peace becomes ours instead.

Give yourself a treat and click on the link to read this short but delightful essay called Joy by Peter Kreeft.
Excerpt:

Joy is more than happiness, just as happiness is more than pleasure. Pleasure is in the body. Happiness is in the mind and feelings. Joy is deep in the heart, the spirit, the center of the self.

The way to pleasure is power and prudence. The way to happiness is moral goodness. The way to joy is sanctity, loving God with your whole heart and your neighbor as yourself.

Maybe it hasn’t been so bad after all.