GET A LIFE!

by Doris E. Howie

What is life, anyway?  Is time spent battling fear, anxiety, and stress - or, 
for that matter, frantic chasing after rainbows - really living?  Are depres-
sion and frustration really all your life holds for the future?  If that is 
the case, no wonder tomorrow looms like a black wall of destruction!  

A few years ago, I shared your gloom.  Even to get up in the morning was a 
drag.  Chores were onerous; rewards were few; surprises were always negative.  
The bottom of the barrel would have been looking up from where I felt myself 
to be.  In fact, suicide was often on my mind.  Life just didn t seem worth 
living.

Now life holds more promises than I can grasp with both hands.  Joy is my 
daily companion - not happiness, particularly, but contentment and a peaceful 
joy.  Maybe serenity would be a better word for it - a knowledge that "in all 
things God works for the good of those who love Him" (Romans 8:29) and "will 
meet all (my) needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus"  
(Philippians 4:19).

Since I dedicated my life to Christ, things seem to have a way of working out 
for me, sometimes in an almost uncanny manner.  What I really need is there 
when I give God first priority in my life.

Have you considered giving *your* life to Christ?  It is the best way to live, 
and it happens through a simple faith.

The first step is to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  Then be truly 
sorry for wasting your life in self-pity or self-pursuits.   God will help you 
change, to replace negative thoughts with positive ones, to eradicate envy, 
anger and fear and replace them with love, joy and peace.

Read your Bible; you'll find it is filled with incredible promises that you 
can draw on.  It is also filled with helpful hints on attitude adjusting and 
positive thinking.  Do your best to follow the biblical guidelines each day, 
praising God for everything you have right now.

Remember, God never changes.  His promise is as valid today as it was thousands 
of years ago, for His Word is the Law.  Remember, too, that Jesus was sent to 
show us how to "get a life".  Your Bible gives eye-witness reports of what He 
said and did.  It also tells what happened to a group of ordinary people who 
followed Him - and became incredible powerbrokers of the Holy Spirit.

Decide now to accept this life, to follow Jesus' example in whatever you do - 
and you will know love, forgiveness, joy, contentment, abundant life now - and 
eventually, eternal life.

Wouldn't YOU like to "get a life" *today*?
                                                                                    
                                                                                    . . 30                                       

Copyright 1993 Doris E. Howie 
E-mail   dhowie@wcl.on.ca
URL      http://www.wcl.on.ca/~dhowie