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A Simple Formula to Enjoy Life
Ecclesiastes 9:8
"Let thy garments be always white; and let thy head lack no ointment."
Everybody wants to enjoy life. One of the pursuits of most people is to find a way to enjoy life. Of course, the world looks for enjoyment in things, yet God shows that enjoyment comes from actions and direction. For instance, the world thinks having money will cause them to enjoy life, but money cannot bring enjoyment. The book of Ecclesiastes is about Solomon looking to find the formula to enjoying life. Finally, at the end of his life, he realized what will cause a person to enjoy life.
First, living right will help you to enjoy life. The verse above says, "Let thy garments be always white:..." Living right will help you to enjoy life because it doesn't leave you with regrets. If you will realize that there is always a tomorrow in which you will have to live with the consequences of today's actions, then you will realize that living right is the best way to live. You will never enjoy life when you carry regrets from yesterday's actions. If you will live right, you will find that tomorrow can be filled with good memories from yesterday. Living right doesn't take from life, but living right gives to your life. If you want to enjoy life, then you must start by living right.
Second, enjoying your marriage will help you to enjoy life. Marriage is a big part of life. When a person gets married they will either endure it or enjoy it. Ecclesiastes 9:9 says, "Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun." Don't just exist in your marriage, but learn to enjoy your marriage. Make your spouse your best friend. I have learned that if your spouse is your best friend, then you will want to enjoy the pleasures of life together. Too many couples do things apart when they should be doing things together. Too many couples run around with their "buddies" instead of making their spouse the one with whom they do everything. Christian, you will never enjoy life to its fullest until you make your marriage what it should be.
Third, if you want to enjoy life, then give your best effort in all that you do. Verse 10 says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest." Again, this goes back to having regrets when you get older. I have watched many people wish that they would have given a better effort in life. One of the best ways to keep from regrets is to give your best effort within everything you do. When you know you have done your best, then you will never look back with the regrets, or wonder "What if?"
Last, if you want to enjoy life then serve God. Ecclesiastes 12:13 says, "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." You will never enjoy life without God being the center of your life. You were made to serve God. Therefore, life will never be enjoyed without you fulfilling what you were made to do which is serve God.
Too many people make life complicated. One of the great things about God is that He makes life uncomplicated. Thus, you have this little formula for enjoying life. Though this formula may seem too simple, you will find that with this formula your life will be enjoyable.