Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17-19)

Back when our children were small, I remember a summer vacation out on Pensacola Beach. The house was on “the sound,” had its own dock, and came with the biggest screened porch I’ve ever seen. Right in the breeze-way, looking out over the dunes, was a huge hammock. Andrew – maybe seven years old at the time – climbed into the hammock with a good book and a glass of lemonade. “Ahhhh,” he sighed, loudly; “This is the life!”

THE GOOD LIFE: This morning a facebook comment I made in response to someone’s post has got me thinking about “The Good Life,” and what that really means.

Here in the USA (and “the west” in general), billions of dollars are poured into promoting the idea that “The Good Life” is only one more purchase away. Another twist on the idea is the value of “more:” more quantity; more square-footage; more luxury; more horsepower; more jewelry; more clothes; more shoes; more gadgets; more TV channels; more cars….

It’s as if “more” has become the primary value against which “success” is measured. If one is good, then two must be better; if two-scoops of ice-cream make me happy, then four should make me even happier; if we enjoy our 2,000 square foot home, then wouldn’t a 4,000 square foot home bring that much more joy?

So we push the limits of consumption and acquisition, but without finding the peace or the joy that we crave. It’s a kind of cultural gorging, stuffing ourselves but with things that will never truly satisfy. Like eating more and more junk food when what our body is really asking for is a small steak, some grilled asparagus, and a serving of fruit. But instead we become bloated, uncomfortable, unhealthy, and no closer to the satisfaction we crave.

A USEFUL LIST: So I thought I’d take a look at a few of the elements that make life wonderful (for me). There’s a lot of overlap in this list, I don’t have room for much detail, and it’s by no means comprehensive:

1. Faith: My identity as a person of faith is bedrock; it underlies and interfaces with everything else. Faith is like the “operating system” that runs behind and around each point listed below. Faith in God is the air I breathe; it can’t be isolated and discussed as simply one item in a list. So it comes first, yet is also present in each of the following entries.
2. Relationships: nothing else comes close. I could sell 250,000 books this year, park my new convertible outside the house, shoot par on the golf-course, and win my first Pulitzer… but it would all be worthless if Rebekah and I weren’t happy together.
3. Community: This is the same as number two but extended. Rebekah and I cannot be completely happy in isolation. Our family, our faith community, our friends, our town. We were created for relationship; we were created to serve.
4. Freedom: The freedom to choose my own path in life; and – along with it – the responsibility to live into the choices I have made.
5. Work: For me, making a connection between my passion and earning a living is as good as it gets. Two decades as a teacher, and now ten years into my writing career. Work that is challenging and meaningful is a critical element of “The Good Life.”
6. Sanctuary: I’m talking about our home. It doesn’t have to be fancy, or big; but having a place where Rebekah and I can regroup, restore, refresh, replenish, and reconnect is important. Home is our sanctuary.
7. Learning: I’ll wrap this up (for now) with the joy of being a life-long learner. Discovery, intellectual growth, art, literature, reforming my ideas and opinions, learning more about God, myself, other people, this world. There is so much, and such joy, in learning.

The key variable when it comes to life being awesome is our personal choice to “Live like we mean it!” For Jesus-followers, that can happen absolutely anywhere on the planet!

The bottom line here is that I can – and I will – be more than content; I will thrive! I can do this – you can do this – because we are spiritual beings, made in the image of our Creator. Living into that realization, and honing the relationship, makes everything possible!

– DEREK