“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God”
– 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Our life upon this earth is of few days and full of trouble. Some days are the best of times; some days are the worst of times. There are moments that look like the spring of hope; others look like the winter of despair. Through it all we need to live a life with purpose and meaning. We all seek happiness as the world lashes about us.

Something to Do. Paul wrote, “…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). Paul says he was pressing toward the mark. He was pressing on with contentment. He had learned in whatsoever state he was in to be content (Phil. 4:11). To be happy in life we all need something to do; we need a mission to fill. Let us stand for the right and not lose sight of our duty to serve the Lord, do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God.

Someone to Love. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). It brings happiness to love God. We are to love the Lord with all our heart. He first loved us and we should return our love. We also need our family and friends to love. To visit with friends and enjoy good times together brings sunshine into our days.

Something to Hope For. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2). The hope of heaven keeps us going through sickness, pain, disappointment, suffering and hardship. In fact, these present sufferings are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed. God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more death, sorrow, crying, nor pain. On that fair shore we shall serve the Lord with perfect bliss. There we shall be with and know our loved ones whom we have known in our life (Rom. 8:18; Rev. 7:17, 21:4; 1 Thess. 2:19, and others).

• J. Noel Merideth 1941-1992