Quality of Life

"I find the quality of life is proportional to one's commitment to God."   

I borrowed the quote from Green Bay Packers' coach Vince Lombardi, shortened it, and added God. The original is found here.  I'm curious if my changes make it original or just another version. Either way, I find it to be true in my life. 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.  James 1: 13-16

A few nights last week, I found myself watching motivational speakers on Youtube. I wasn't looking for inspiration or some magic formula to make my life better. I felt I was studying; learning. That God was guiding me to acquire the wisdom He promises to those who ask.  Some speakers were very good. Some were not. You might recognize a few names. However, there was one trait all of them shared... none mentioned Jesus Christ. A few came close, one even inferred the name Jesus, but no one took the plunge.

After two nights and many hours, the most memorable videos were from two speakers employed by a public university. They were part of a program designed to encourage students from lower socioeconomic communities to stay in school and complete their degree. Both speakers were relevant, energetic, and spoke with passion. Despite both of them effectively engaging the group, not many students attended their free seminars or classes. At one point, a student responded to a question and acknowledged he would rather be in the "club" on a Thursday night. Many students nodded or mumbled in agreement.

Has our society become so undisciplined and apathetic that young adults don't possess the ability to sacrifice to achieve an honorable goal? Have we, as a society, developed a tendency to choose pleasure (the club) over joy (college degree)? And if so, would that indicate we have been bamboozled by the father of lies?  

May I suggest if people knew pleasure's character... most would turn and run like Joseph.  Pleasure has a lot going for it. It's everywhere. It offers everything we desire. Pleasure can be experienced immediately. No lines. No need to take a number an wait. It requires very little effort. It's easy to get. It feels good... sometimes indescribably good. Pleasure is not free, despite its claims. 

The problem is pleasure fades. Pleasure doesn't stay long. It deceives you and will eventually drag you into deep water and drown you. That's what it does and it is good at it. Oh, I know you don't feel like you're on the road to perdition as you frolic with Pleasure. In fact, believe life is great until you overindulge. The first time you gorge on Pleasure, the second time is easier. The third is no problem. The fourth, well... it's what you now do. The fifth? Your appetite will grow until you cannot find enough pleasure to satisfy the hunger.

Being lost doesn't just happen. It slowly progresses until you end up in a place you didn't expect. The initial compromise progresses until you NEED, as opposed to want, what initially started out as harmless fun or excitement. When pleasure its hooks in you, you will sacrifice everything for it... compromising in ways you once thought "... never would I do."  And yet, after the time and effort you spend seeking pleasure... there is nothing valuable left.    

"It is one of the strange ironies of this strange life that those who work the hardest, who subject themselves to the strictest discipline, who give up certain pleasurable things in order to achieve a goal, are the happiest..." Brutus Hamilton,

Oh, but there's Joy! Joy requires effort. Joy strengthens. Joy builds. Joy hangs around, never to leave you. Joy is of God. Seeing that 'A' after studying the entire weekend is Joy.  Earning first chair cello after hundreds of hours of practice is Joy. Reading the acceptance letter from the college of your choice is Joy. Finishing a marathon is Joy. Sacrificing to achieve a goal is Joy.

Knowing Jesus is Joy. Following Jesus is Joy. Serving others is Joy. The irony of Joy... sometimes it cloaks itself as hard work or pain or loneliness or discipline. Sometimes Joy is not aborting the child with special needs or volunteering at the nursing home or helping someone who has no ability to return the gesture. But its pursuit is always worthy. We can be the person wondering where Pleasure has gone or be the one savoring the Joy from pursuing something something of God. 

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. 1John 2:15-17

Grades count in a student's life. Fair? Unfair? Grades are the currency students earn and eventually spend. A savings account to be cashed in later for a life. Your life. Grades have the ability to create opportunities. Grades possess power. Good grades do not predict success just as poor grades do not predict disaster. Academic success says you have the ability to commit and the desire to sacrifice to strive for excellence.  

Remember the students and the "club". The "club" will not help them earn a college degree.  In fact, if they spend enough time in the "club" it will tell them the degree is a waste of their time and talent. Then what? Where do you go?  

Have a good and godly day.