Finding Life

The Evangelist/Missionary/Writer E. Stanley Jones counted himself to be one of the happiest people alive.  He once wrote: “I gasp in surprise and wonder.  Life is working, and working with rhythm and joy.  How did it all happen?  I asked myself that question as I sat in a hotel room in Alaska writing.  I looked up and saw myself in a looking glass and said to myself: ‘Stanley Jones, you’re a very happy man, aren’t you?’  I replied, ‘Yes, I am.’  And then the vital question: ‘How did you get to be this way?’  And my reply: ‘I don’t know.  It is all a surprise to me, a growing surprise.  I walked across a field one day and stubbed my toe against the edge of a treasure chest, jutting out of the earth.  ‘It’s treasure!’ I cried.  I ran off and sold all I had, including myself, and bought that field; and I have been hugging myself ever since, that I had sense enough to do it.’”
That treasure was, of course, E. Stanley Jones’ commitment to Jesus Christ.  Find a humble person with a pure heart, a purpose for living, a love for people and a commitment to God and you will find a happy man or woman.  Though that person may have suffered terribly in life, he or she will have a peace and a confidence that nothing in this world can defeat.
Why should we be so surprised at this?  We find this message all through the Bible.  David said, in the first Psalm, “Blessed is the man...whose delight is in the Law of the Lord.”  Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled.”  While we disagree with the theology that says “God always wants His people to be healthy, wealthy and happy,” we feel instead that God wants His people to be blessed.  That may not always mean you will be on top of it all but it does mean that your life is going somewhere and counting for something.
Cactus Christian Fellowship exists to help people find and build upon a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Such a relationship draws us into a life of meaning and purpose.  It makes big demands upon us, but opens up enormous possibilities.  Never be content that you have found a bit of religion.  Be content only when you have found life.