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"When Christ who is our life appears,
then you also will appear with Him in glory."
(Colossians 3:4)
There is a current popular trend where prestigious authors and professors offer books and courses on the keys to a blessed or happy life, or, put another way, how to enjoy this life to the maximum. Arthur Brooks teaches a class at Harvard University along these lines called "Managing Happiness". The Course Description reads:
"What is happiness? What makes you happy?' Can you get happier through study and effort? Maybe you have pondered these questions over the course of your life but haven't been able to come up with any definitive answers. Still, you'd like to think that happiness is something you can understand and manage, right? This is a class that answers these questions and shows you how you can use the answers to build a happier life."
I recommend Brooks' book From Strength to Strength. I recently heard an interview podcast with him as the guest. He is a Christian who has a very disciplined life centered around his faith, family, and work.
Miroslav Volf teaches a similar class at Yale University, and there is a waiting list for the course. According to Todd Farley, writing for the New York Post: "The most popular class at Yale University is called 'Life Worth Living' and is taught by Miroslav Volf, Matthew Croasmun, and Ryan McAnnally-Linz." Of course, there is also Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen, published in 2004, which is a New York Times bestseller with 4 million copies sold. There are numerous other books and classes offered on how to live a blessed or fulfilled life.
I like Dr. Charles Stanley's approach to this quest of living life to its fullest. He approaches the subject from a very biblical vantage point, and I appreciate that, because the answer to this question about happiness and living a fulfilled life can ultimately come from God alone. God has gifted us with a guide, a manual to know Him and live a blessed life in service to Him and others. The Word of God, the Holy Bible, contains all we need to know about how to live a truly blessed and prosperous life in the truest and most satisfying way.
"God does not call you or any believer to a marginal Christian life characterized by chores and rituals. He desires to have a daily relationship with you where you experience His presence and trust Him for wisdom, courage, and strength in all situations. With every step you take, decision you make, conversation you have, and thought you entertain, the Lord wants to glorify Himself through you. He desires to shine in your life—with His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control illuminating your unique talents, traits, and personality as you walk in obedience to Him. How do you allow Jesus to do this? —you must realize the answer comes by working on your relationship with Christ. You do this through Bible study, prayer, worship, and fellowship with other believers. You not only learn about Him, but you must also listen to Him, because He will teach you how to love Him, live for Him, and walk in His ways." (Source: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible, 2009)
I look forward to sharing more with you this week on this topic of living a truly blessed life.
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