"May the God of hope fill you with all joy."
Romans 15:13
Maybe you read the same story that I did a few days ago. A man who had dedicated his life and energy to becoming wealthy, gave it all away to three charities. Most people would think that he was absolutely crazy. His reason was simply stated. It never brought him happiness. He moved to a small, humble looking house away from the busy city. He said that he grew up thinking that he would be happy, if he worked hard enough to make large sums of money. After becoming a multi-millionaire, he discovered it didn't make him happy. It wasn't the way for him to get the most out of life.
Two words describe the way of getting the most out of life. Those words are hope and joy. Money can buy neither. They come only from God. Hope is a gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 13:13). Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22). They are offered freely to all through a personal relationship with God.
Getting the most out of life starts from within yourself. When God fills our lives with hope and joy, we can indeed get the most out of life. Hope is in God, who continues to give us a future that no one can take away. Good things always await those who trust Him. Joy is a fruit of knowing God in a faith relationship through Christ.
A child may be filled with hope and joy looking toward Christmas Day. His hope is what he may receive as gifts from his parents. The joy comes from receiving. God always has more for His children. They are good gifts from above (James 1:17). But, the greatest gift of all is God Himself. He gives Himself to all who will receive. This greatest gift of all is love (1 Cor. 13:13). It is God giving Himself to us, because God is love (1 John 4:8). Getting the most out of life is getting love from above, which is unconditional and everlasting.
God, fill our lives with the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
