Live Joyfully

Terrible news last week as three American celebrities died; Ed McMahon, Farah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. Not that these three lives were any more valuable than the rest of us, however, when someone dies who was rewarded by our culture with fame and fortune for their talents and charisma it captures our attention. We like our celebrities... we like their music, their acting, their beauty, their sense of humor, their style and pizazz. Many times, we'd like to meet them or we wish we could know them. Sometimes we feel bad that we are not one of them.

But the death of a celebrity also teaches us a very poignant lesson. No matter how popular, powerful, rich, attractive or talented a person is in life; in death all are equal. All opportunities to do good are over. All opportunities to make provision for the afterlife are over. Everyone's case file is sealed. Conviction, conscience or cause will never again move that one to action.

Only while living do we have an opportunity to store treasure in Heaven. Only while living do we have opportunity to mend a broken relationship. Only while alive can we right injustice, cry out for the poor or tell others of God's grace through Jesus Christ. Consider the words of King Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes:
This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.

For the living know that they will die;
But the dead know nothing,
And they have no more reward,
For the memory of them is forgotten.
Also their love, their hatred,
and their envy have now perished;
Nevermore will they have a share
In anything done under the sun.
Go, eat your bread with joy,
And drink your wine with a merry heart;
For God has already accepted your works.
Let your garments always be white,
And let your head lack no oil.

Live joyfully with the wife whom you love all the days of your vain life which He has given you under the sun, all your days of vanity; for that is your portion in life, and in the labor which you perform under the sun.Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going. Ecclesiastes 9:3-10

I especially like the line, "for a living dog is better than a dead lion." Many of us waste our lives away wishing we were something that we are not. Ed, Farah and Michael are now dead lions and those of us who would have desired to be like them are now glad we're not. Living dogs truly are better than dead lions. There is much to be said for living in an attitude of gratitude for the blessings God has given in our today.

The New Testament says it like this: "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

With that in mind, it is important to remember during this season of economic and cultural stress to be content and grateful with what we have. Let's all enjoy God's gift to the living of summertime in the Catskill's. See you Sunday.