What Makes One Happy?

I was listening this week to a TED talk that caught my attention by its title.  The title is "What Makes a Good Life?"  I thought the speaker shared some insightful significant findings that were worth sharing.  I encourage you to watch this talk and assess your life in light of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KkKuTCFvzI

“Man, 51, Dies Weeks After Winning $1 Million Lottery Jackpot”

“Man, 51, Dies Weeks After Winning $1 Million Lottery Jackpot”

This is how the headline read as I opened up to one of my favorite news sights this week.  Imagine, in the prime of your life winning $1,000,000.00 and dying a week later!

For many the thought of winning $1,000,000.00 is the penultimate that life could afford.  It is everything one is looking for.  $1,000,000.00 for most folks would set them up to do whatever they pleased.  The thrill, the excitement, and the planning of how to spend all of that money on whatever you pleased.  That would be great!  Then, imagine dying one week later. 

Let that sink in.  You ‘finally’ win the jackpot and one week later you are dead.  If you are honest with yourself that story really makes you self-examine, and ask yourself, “What am I living for?”  The reality is, even if you are fortunate enough to win the lottery you will die at some point.  Maybe not a week after winning, but at some point all of us die. 

So what is it that you are living for?  What gives you purpose and hope?  Is it the hope of hitting the jackpot-whatever that is for you- or is it the hope of Christ?  If indeed it is the hope of Christ then that must influence how we live during our time as sojourners on earth.  As Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew,

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

As always, if you have a question please email me at reeves.cannon@sandhurst.net

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