"You CAN Have A Wonderful Life!"

OU see, such hope comes by faith, or belief in a higher power who is, by nature, compassionate yet strict, forgiving while firmly committed to maintaining justice, order, safety and peace for all those who are deserving, fair but discerning the true intentions and motives of those with deceitful hearts, minds or motives, as well as approachable and reliable to all those who seek His help through genuine humility and obedience to the Law of Life that He has decreed for our protection and welfare.

    Imagine you had the ideal life.   Close your eyes and consider what that would look like; how it would feel, taste and resonate with your desires to be happy, productive, fulfilled and responsible.

    Be careful what you wish for, though, because it just might come true, but not precisely as you have planned.   You see you can't know everything involved in advance, and neither is your heart perfect.   You don't always act selflessly, altruistically, heroically, or justly, do you?

    And the things that you want are not always what are best or good for you or others, and may bring much misery and suffering to you and them, if you're not careful.

    For instance, when you imagined your perfect way of life, what was foremost in your thoughts?   Did you see things, such as money, a big home, expensive car, fame and popularity, or did you see people, relationships and overcoming difficulties and problems every day, to achieve and enjoy all the blessings and awards that come through diligent, persistent, unflagging commitment to ideals -- without hurting or taking advantage of anyone else -- even if they or you become unpopular or are opposed by many, or possibly even most other people?

   Why should you imagine such things?   Because you know that real life is not always perfect, idylic or free from outside pressures, troubles or anxieties.

    And unless you see other people who can, and are willing to, help and assist you in achieving your dreams and ambitions, what sort of life would you have?

    Sure, you might be happy alone, all by yourself, contented to share your life only with plants, animals and lifeless entertainments that seem more compelling and alluring than all the difficulties and troubles you might face in dealing with other people, but you would also suffer frustration, loneliness and acute feelings of anger, hostility, envy and ingratitude, among other less noble traits.

    Thoughts, feelings, attitudes, intentions and reasons -- along with reactions to events and circumstances -- can be just as compelling and responsible for actual outcomes as your actions, because your efforts and attempts, the things you say and do, are all guided by these often hidden persuaders, guides or motivations.

    As you doubtless already know, everything you feel, think and do has consequences, sooner or later.   For every effect there is a cause.   It may not always be apparent or obvious on the surface, but it is nevertheless a firm fact of life you must eventually face up to and admit.

    Sometime in your past you thought, felt, said or did something that help create the reality you now face.   What you think, feel, say or do now will also help to determine your future reality.

    Your life consists of daily habits of thoughts, feelings, words and actions that are motivated by the intentions of your heart.

    What do you intend to think, feel, say or do today, and do you understand your real reasons behind your personal motivations?   It could be hidden, mostly unconscious, cellular memories rather than conscious memories or intentions that are creating your present reality.

    While you cannot relive the past, you can change your present course and direction at any time, but where should you look for the ability to do this, and where will that motivating force take you in the end?

    There are many possible foundations for you to build your life upon, but only one that can protect you from all of life's storms, to enable you to weather every adversity, and overcome the ultimate challenges of life and death.   Such a foundation is not to be found in any mortal man or woman, or in anything you or they, or I, say and do, think and believe, or how you, they or I feel and react as a normal, typical person.

    The surest foundation of them all can only be reliance upon the very source of life Himself, who transcends all time -- is always there and reliable, available to help and assist those truly deserving of His attention whenever He is needed, and who gives to all those who seek, ask and humbly petition Him for what they need most, even if it may not be exactly what they wanted or thought they needed.

    Though sometimes difficult to accept, what you perceive reality to be, and what you think is best, may well have hidden sides, dangers or pitfalls, while the things and circumstances you think or believe are undesireable may well conceal hidden, unrecognized or little appreciated benefits or advantages.

    As hard as it may be for you to humbly admit this truth, the complexities and challenges of life, with often unforeseen consequences, makes you the least worthy to judge the direction you should go in life.

    The best judge, and the One to whom you should defer, relegate and relinquish the control and decisions of momentous importance in your life, is He who made you and sustains your every breath, giving you the power of free will with which you can choose to obey or disobey, reaping the consequences of your own choices.

    The Creator and motivator of your every heartbeat, and the ultimate source of all energy, power and motivating force, including the very spark of life itself -- though He graciously permits you the freedom and time to decide for yourself, to choose the Way of life, blessings and future reward, or the path of death, destruction and curses -- is the very best Judge of all things pertaining to your life.

    But how much do you trust Him, really, and how willing are you to entrust your entire life -- every important decision of your life -- to your Creator, maker and sustainer?

    Giving up control voluntarily, to this all-knowing, all-wise, provident, caring and sacred originator and source of all universal law -- every elemental, essential rule, regulation, and just judgment -- might seem a bit scarey or even conflict with your dreams or schemes, but this is far more preferable than any other alternative open to you.

    In spite of often contrary surface appearances, trusting this reliable and totally trustworthy being is the only thing that will result in the greatest blessings, and most desireable outcomes, in the long run.

    You may recognize the importance of helping hands, of those capable of assisting you to achieve your goals and desires in life, without thinking of yourself as being essential to someone else.

    More importantly, you may not understand the extreme importance of knowing the One supreme, Almighty, all-wise and intelligent best friend, mentor, guide and author of every worthwhile thought, intention or endeavor you could every have.

    Yet, your Creator and Savior hope for only the best blessings to be yours, if you will only seek, knock, ask and deligently strive to be found worthy of these.

    When you know the invisible but decisive architect of the world, and the plan He is working out here on earth, whether now or in His soon-coming Kingdom, you really can enjoy a wonderful life, and will not have lived in vain.