ENJOY YOUR LIFE

“ENJOY YOUR LIFE”. This is the thought that has been running in my mind for the past few days. Hence, I asked myself the question – How am I to enjoy life?

In answer to the said question, I was confronted by two other questions, namely:

1. WHO IS THE SOURCE OF TRUE JOY?
2. HOW IS TRUE JOY GIVEN?

To the first question, I readily answer “GOD”. God created man, and therefore, only God can truly satisfy and make man happy.

To the second question, I have learned from spiritual writers that “GOD’S METHODS ARE PEOPLE AND EVENTS”. To me this means that God acts through people and events to manifest His love and care for us.

Upon further reflection, I see the significance of Christ’s command: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you”. (John 13:34). Love is something that can be given only by people, because it is only people who are bestowed with the gift of freedom which enables them to make a decision; for Love, in the last analysis, is a Decision.

Looking at my own life, the people who in one way or another filled my heart with joy were my parents, my brothers and sisters, relatives and friends. Right now I am experiencing great joy in my own home, where true love is manifested by my wife, Ofel, my mother-in-law, Roberta, and my sisters-in-law, Lou, Evie and Cherry. Likewise, my children and grandchildren, though all are miles away, fill me with joy as we have regular contact thru texting, email and facebook. Great joy also fills my heart as I encounter friends, relatives and acquaintances in the community with whom I have some personal relationships.

Events are also occasions where God manifests His loving concern for us. Celebrations to highlight significant events or commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, feasts, and the like are, indeed, occasions where people come together and give joy to each other with their presence.
TO ENJOY LIFE, therefore, I only have to be open and gratefully acknowledge God’s manifestation of His love through people and events, and respond with all the love I can give; for verily LOVE CAN BE REPAID BY LOVE ALONE.

by: Buddy Cagurangan
August 28, 2011