Faith | Relationships in life bring happiness, and this one means the most
Growing up on a farm, I had a sense of accomplishment in seeing things get done.
Much of the work had a certain level of enjoyment in it, like milking the cow, and watching the cats drink the milk as I squirted them; plowing the ground, changing sprinklers, pulling weeds, planting and, eventually, watching the crops being harvested.
I had a great family, and I enjoyed going to school and seeing all my friends. I especially enjoyed sports and the comradeship.
Later in life, I experienced a similar sense of comradeship for a few years when I worked at the Kennewick Police Department, and then Hanford Patrol. I knew that when on duty, if you really needed help, that you would have an abundance of it.
Even though I’ve been blessed with the best wife, two daughters and a grandson, I, like so many people, have experienced many ups and downs in life. I’ve had what I consider four catastrophic events in my life so far, with many secondary ones, just like anybody else in a normal lifetime.
The four worst lasted for years, in which I feverishly prayed for a good outcome. God graciously answered my prayers, just not as quickly as I had hoped. When they were over, I came to appreciate those prayers, and what I had learned from the struggle that God allowed me to go through.
Through trials and gained wisdom, it seems to me that most people, toward the end of their lives, value their close relationships with family and friends as most valuable above all else. Not riches or fame, but loving relationships developed during their lifetime are the most precious.
It also seems that many people may only look at the short term, even if they have a fantastic life for a hundred years. As we know, eventually we all will grow old and frail and die and we may not consider what eternity will be like.
King Solomon in the Bible was the richest and wisest person in the world at the time, yet he concluded that it was all vanity. The only thing that finally gave him meaning and fulfillment was having an everlasting relationship with God, and following his commandments.
One day we will all stand before the Almighty God of the Universe to be judged for our decisions in life, whether we chose to live in his perfect loving kingdom—heaven—under his rules or not.
All the religions in the world, except true Christianity, seem to have one thing in common: Everlasting life in Heaven, or wherever, is based on a works system. It involves doing good deeds and or religious rites in order to earn, and or to keep, one’s salvation to enjoy a better afterlife.
These religious systems give some, if not all the credit to the one doing the good works. Only Christianity gives all the credit and glory to Jesus Christ, God the Son, who became a man in the flesh like us.
Christ lived a perfect and sinless life in order to be the perfect sacrifice for us. He was unjustly convicted and brutally crucified on a Roman cross, taking upon himself the punishment we deserve for all our sins (past, present, and future).
And if we will trust in him as our Savior and Lord, we can receive his forgiveness and eternal happiness in his heavenly kingdom one day.
When we make that choice, God gives us the power to live this life with purpose and joy.
Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick and vice chairman of the Tri-Cities Child Evangelism Fellowship. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
