The joy of living

When did life become so burdensome? For many of us, it feels as though we were almost born into a life where striving to be the best is the name of the game. We have been conditioned to live our lives in order to prove something at every stage! How unwise it is to live life this way, considering the measure of our days! The more I reflect on my experiences among the tribal people of Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia, Nepal, and the Philippines, the more I realize that the simplicity of their lives is key to learning how to be content and happy. Life shouldn’t be about striving and constant competition with others; rather, it should be a cherished shared experience at every moment of each day with the people we love. Observing everything in nature teaches us that this affinity for all things natural and simple is what balances life, making it a joyous existence. To acknowledge the way we are made, and how we were created, with such gratitude and awe is essential to accepting who we are. Knowing our purpose—first and foremost to reflect the image of the One who created us and to worship God through every avenue of life—gives us the joy of living. To learn to walk with God is to discover the joy of living. Living as close to nature as possible and maintaining peace with your Maker while keeping your conscience clear leads to a joyous existence. Jesus said that He came to give us a full life! What a promise! Have you already discovered the joy of living?