Finding Joy in Life

Why did I live when others died?

The pandemic is so random.

No one could predict who would get sick
and who wouldn’t.

No one expected vulnerable people to survive
while young, healthy people died.

Life seems so fragile now.

We may want it to be different, but life is
fragile. It doesn’t come with guarantees
of happiness or longevity.

While the Bible affirms how fragile our life on earth is,
it also promises us something better.

 The life of mortals is like grass, 
they flourish like a flower of the field;
 the wind blows over it and it is gone, 
and its place remembers it no more.
 But from everlasting to everlasting
 the Lord’s love is with those 
who fear him. 
Psalm 103:15–17 

Let all who take refuge in you be glad; 
let them ever sing for joy. 
Spread your protection over them, 
That those who love your name 
may rejoice in you. 
Psalm 5:11

Because of God’s great love for us, the fleeting nature of life isn’t the end of the story. We can find lasting joy in life when we seek refuge in God’s forgiveness and devote ourselves to living a life that pleases him.

 Live a life worthy of the Lord 
and please him in every way: 
bearing fruit in every good work,
 growing in the knowledge of God, 
being strengthened with all
 power according to his glorious
 might so that you may have 
great endurance and patience,
 and giving joyful thanks to 
the Father, who has qualified you 
to share in the inheritance of his
 holy people in the kingdom 
of light. For he has rescued
 us from the dominion of darkness 
and brought us into the kingdom
 of the Son he loves, in whom
 we have redemption, 
the forgiveness of sins.  
Colossians 1:10–14

Thank God for his gift of forgiveness and life!

As you go through your day, look for specific moments of purpose, meaning, and joy, and thank God for the eternal life he shares with you.