I saw a quote from Tom Bodett yesterday. “They say that all you need to be happy in this world is; someone to love, something to do and something to hope for.” I guess Tom was a country philosopher before he did those motel commercials on TV. It is true, but it just isn’t nearly as simple as it sounds.
There are different kinds of love. We normally begin by loving our parents and other relatives. Then, if we are fortunate, we experience romantic love with our soul mate. Love between a husband and wife that lasts, has several levels of love and affection. When we encounter Jesus, we are guided by Him to love God with all of our heart, mind and soul, then love neighbors as much as we love ourselves. We experience the powerful love God has for us through His mercy and grace. The Greeks have several words for those different types of love. In English, the word love has all of those meanings and even more. If we enjoy ice cream, we say we love it too.
We need to do something for a living. We also need to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit within us to do what will please God and fulfill our purpose He has chosen for us. We need to continue to do something after we retire. I have seen people waste away and die before their time because they stop working and basically stop living.
There is nothing more wonderful for which to hope than eternity with our heavenly Father and His Son. Jesus will take us with Him into paradise, just like the thief next to Him on a cross. “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”.
I have been blessed to know all of the forms of love. I have always had something to do to help my wife and others; to serve God; and to feel good about myself. It has all centered around my relationship with God through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I wish that happiness for each of you reading this.