“Relish life . . each and every day.” Ecclesiastes 9:9 The Message
“Generously invest yourself in living and loving fully each and every day.”
My thoughts today are about “living fully.”
Today’s verse is certainly true for marriage, the single, most important, earthly relationship you will have. “Relish life with the spouse you love, each and every day.” Ecclesiastes 9:9 The Message. The joining of two lives in the covenant of marriage is meant to be the most enriching, fulfilling, and life-long relationship you will ever enjoy. Sadly to say, that is not always the experience many have. It could be, but often is not. Successful marriage begins with two people who relish life, and each other, “each and every day.” If marriage is a part-time pursuit, it will quickly become a short-time experience.
But I would like to broaden the application of this verse to include the way you live in any arena of everyday life. “Relish life!” Does that describe you? I have heard that there are two kinds of people – the ones with joyful anticipation who greet each day with, “Good morning, Lord!” Or the ones who wake up dreading each day, seeming to say, “Good Lord, morning!” Which are you usually? “Relish life . . each and every day,” is practical advice for greater enjoyment.
Life is interesting not dull, for enjoying not enduring, for growing not stagnating. It is amazing how people can take something so wonderful – everyday life – and little by little squeeze all the excitement and anticipation out of it. Don’t drain life’s enjoyment by troubling doubts, needless worries, and exaggerated fears; invest yourself in living and loving fully “each and every day.” Want to know God’s intention? “I came that you may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance – to the full, till it overflows!” John 10:10 Amplified.
Let’s apply the principle to any meaningful friendship and relationship you could enjoy. Any relationship can be no more than what you choose to make it to be. It seems over simplistic to say but life does not reward you with what you want out of it; life returns to you the love and regard you bring to others’ lives.
Real relationships are neither disposable nor replaceable. Each friendship is one of a kind; appreciate it as such. Do not approach any with the question, “Does this relationship make me happy?” The reality is that would impose a burden impossible to be true all the time. Life was never meant to be only about your feeling happy; it is about relating to others in Godly ways that brings some measure of mutual benefit and contribution to yourself and others. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 NIV. Your happiness is not God’s first priority; your holiness is.
Both family and friendships should be based on the principle of selfless mutuality. This is a better question to ask yourself, “Am I contributing everything I could that would make this relationship a mutually happy and satisfying one?” Common courtesy and mutual consideration goes a long way in making life better for everyone concerned, including you. “Be kindly affectionate to one another . . in honor giving preference to one another.” Romans 12:10 NKJV. Treat others with respect and appreciation and you will likely find that reciprocated.
My prayer for you today is that you truly enjoy life in all its goodness and fullness.