a life well lived

At the end of our lives, what does it take to be able to look back and say, "Mine was a life well lived?" To what standard are we being held? By what is our success measured? If we wish to answer these questions, we must first answer another: how do we define success?

The "American dream" is what every man strives for, either in celebrity status, IQ, wealth, or a simpler search for meaning; through family recognition, prestigious promotion, or the latest new gadget; a certain car, a fancier home, an obedient child--the list goes on and on. And each of these things is expected to bring us that internal satisfaction, that feeling which tells us our life is fulfilled.

Ah, there he is, the great deceiver at work.

Despite how hard we strive, for the most part, it seems that the success of the world brings forth little more than a confirmation of emptiness; of loneliness, of bitterness, and of despair. The car we've always wanted broke down after only six months; surprise!--our dream home needs a new roof; the child I gave up my dreams for has grown to despise me...it's safe to say that success, as defined by the world, brings decay, and the product of each of these things, of loneliness, bitterness, and despair, is desire: a desire to mask (social media), to drown (alcohol), to dull (drugs), or to silence (violence, suicide).

BUT! (Thanks be to God, there is always a but!)

But, to find the truth, even truth as simple as success defined, we must first (and last) consult the word of truth, which was dictated by the Author of truth. The reason I struggled for so long to find a church was simple: I won't attend a church that doesn't preach the Bible. Word for word, line for line, truth for truth. And the fullness of truth is encompassed within the book of God. Genesis to Revelation; beginning to end; nothing added and nothing omitted.

Scripture interpreted by scripture, in its context--the words of my dad, and I agree with all of my heart.

When I began this post, it was a title: a life well lived. At the time, it was a work in progress, a few wayward thoughts which rattled around in my mind without any real form. But several days later, by the time I sat down to actually write, everything had changed. A family member was admitted to the hospital tonight, and as I sit here writing this, (yes, after my children and husband have gone to bed--I am a night owl), thoughts of the hereafter and of so many lives well-lived are shifting through my brain.

Joseph, God's slave; Moses, His stammerer; Hannah, who was barren; Leah, unloved; Joshua, the servant of His servant; David, His fugitive; Peter, in denial; Zacharias, His doubter; Mary Magdalene, His prostitute. And all of these people, apart from the power of their God, were failures.

Success, as defined by God's choice of men (yes, men; as in, the race of humanity; I will use this term often), is not always flattering. When he found them, they were broken, lonely, bitter, or in despair, but, God thought otherwise. He lifted each of them up, placed a crown upon their heads, gave them the name son, and transformed their lives into something they could recognize. He gave them purpose, meaning, love, fellowship, and joy, and he wishes to do so for all those who strive in vain.

Success in life means a connection to the Creator; that everything we say and do reflects His heart and will. For Joseph, it meant isolation, accusation, and imprisonment. For Moses, a life outside of his comfort zone. David lived for years under the threat of death and couldn't, in good conscience, defend himself. Peter was humbled to the point of a shameful death. Leah has been pitied throughout five millenium!

What, then, am I willing to be for my Christ? God alone knows where our success is to be found. If we seek His heart and follow Him--even to the darkest pits of life--there we will find the key to our success. There we will find our purpose, meaning, love, fellowship, and joy. Trust, and never forget that God is in control of your life. Give all of yourself to Him, knowing that no matter what He chooses to put you through, He will give you the strength to endure it. -- (Waves of Sorrow)

Then, you can look back on your life and know, "Mine was a life well lived!"