The good life? What’s good in life? Is there even a fraction of good in this world?
The title of this column must have jumped off the page and caught the attention of some readers – people who are struggling to stay afloat from the muck they have been slogging through for months, or even for years.
The phrase may annoy. It can be irksome- for, indeed, with all the raging storms of life around us, one can’t help but ask, ” Where is the good life?”
Where is the good life when a loved one lost a fierce battle against cancer? Where is the good life when the enemy of our souls seems to triumph and gets the upper hand? Where is the good life when families are being broken by infidelity disguised as love; when relationships are being dashed to pieces and trampled under the relentless attacks of drug addiction, intoxication, and gambling; when rape victims are left in shame while their perpetrators roam the streets scot-free? Where is the good life after a devastating earthquake, after a ravaging fire, or after a swirling flood?
Before we get lost under a morass of bitterness, we must understand that we live in a fallen world brought about by the transgression of our first parents. As such, we are not exempted, no, not one from the destructive effects of that fall. GENESIS 3:17 states, ” Cursed is the ground because of you (Adam). Neither riches, nor fame, nor intelligence can guarantee anybody of a good life.
Hopeless? Take heart!! This is where the GOOD LIFE comes in. Jesus said it plainly in John 16:33, ” In the world, you will have troubles, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” GOOD LIFE can only come from Jesus because He is the LIFE and the AUTHOR of LIFE. John 14:6; Hebrews 12:2
Nowhere to go? Come to Jesus. He explicitly said in Matthew 11:28, ” Come to Me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I’ll give you rest.”
That’s THE GOOD LIFE! It starts and ends with Jesus. NO ONE ELSE