Rev. C. T. Maret, Pastor Emmanuel Faith Community Church Escondido, Calif.
“THE BETTER LIFE”
S everal years ago , when my wife and I visited missionaries around the world, we were especially in trigued by the Orient. While there, I had the interesting experience of having a Buddhist woman barber cut my hair. When she found out that I was a preacher, she told me that'she sent her two children to a Christian school. The Buddhist wo man explained, “People who believe in Jesus live better lives than those who just believe in God.” That state ment was quite a testimony for me to consider. I’ve thought about it often. Visiting a young couple in Mexi co’s jungles, I saw them struggling with physical, cultural and financial problems. They had given up com forts, loved ones, and most of the things a materialistic age counts worth-while, so that they could re duce the language of these benighted people to writing. Whether young, middle-aged, or older, the Lord re minds us, “As thy days, so shall thy strength be.” In middle age we begin to realize that we are not young, and in the days ahead we won’t be able to produce so effectively. A feel ing of panic sweeps over us with the conviction that what we are going to get, we must get now. The unsaved person merely becomes a victim of his fear. While the Christian doesn’t close his eyes to the needs of the future, his real security is not money, but God; not goods, but God’s goodness. In our middle age, we live the better life because it’s a life of faith in a living God. It’s been well said that if we live long enough, we’ll get old. One of the temptations of the elderly is to live in the past. The Christian disciple realizes his sins of the past, but he lives rejoicing in the blessing of
God’s great forgiveness (I John 1: 9). A Christian is basically a person of the future: the best is always just ahead. The future is as bright CONTENTMENT If I am glad when others' fortunes Far exceed my own; If I can wish them well and lend my Praise for what they've done; If I can silence slander by a Kindly word or stare; If for no man, what'er his state, Contempt or hate I bare, I have contentment. If I can stand aside while others Join in merriment, Full knowing that their joys are thus For energies I've spent; If I can view their pleasures without Malice or regret, But rather feel reward comes with the "Give," and not the "get," I have contentment. If I can take reproach and scorn With meekness and accord; If I can pray, "Father, forgive," As did our precious Lord; If I can have for friends true souls I have contentment. If I but know that all such works Are of themselves in vain Except I own the Saviour and In Him be born again; If, counting loss, my heart can still say, "Lord, Thy will be done!" Then surely as I travel daily Toward the setting sun, I'll have contentment. — Alice W. Lucas as the promises of God. Life is not about over for the Christian when he is eighty. It has just begun and will never cease. See the words of Paul 10 Who serve their fellowmen; If I in turn give to the world M y very best, why then—
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker