"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Matthew 16:26
People often tell me that I have everything. On the outside, I suppose. And that has always been a great problem when I try to comfort people who are down or disappointed. "You don't talk larh, you never had this problem!" I really thank God that He has blessed me with so many talents.
But the truth is, for years, even when I had success after success, I never really was happy. I know I was happy in primary school, but when I came to secondary school, success began to catch up with me. I began to take pride in my achievements, and gradually came to build my life around being the best. Life was pretty much about me and what I could achieve, whether in studies or sports. I often succeeded, but I found that it was never enough. I was often jealous of other people's achievements. And to my dismay I found that I had very few close friends. In public I always had a brave and confident front. But inside I was unsure of my own personality, my own character. There was a time when my greatest fear was that people would say that I had no character. And I was always trying to impress people.
I am so, so thankful to say now that life has changed so much for the better, because of what God has done. He has taught me to rest secure in His love, so that I have no need to prove anything to the world. He has taught me to love others and place them above myself, helping me to build proper and meaningful friendships and relationships. Above all He has taught me that the truest happiness is knowing that there is more to life than just earthly comfort and material wealth; that we have a higher purpose and calling that we were created for; that there is an unshakeable and unfailing love we can rest in.
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:32-34
I know that we can be perfectly happy living life comfortably, enjoying the companionship of dear friends, having everything we need materially. I do not deny that is a joy; I believe it is a joy given by God. But I want to share that we can discover an even higher happiness in Jesus. That wherever we go and whatever we do in the future, no matter whether we are rich or poor, whether we are judged "successful" by the world or not, we can be joyful. "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." To my dear classmates, I know it's a time of tough decisions, of nervously awaiting university replies, of facing disappointments. But why settle for the temporal joy that worldly things bring, when we can find something so much better? In good and bad times, in all times, we can still find a deep joy in living and the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:13).
People often tell me that I have everything. On the outside, I suppose. And that has always been a great problem when I try to comfort people who are down or disappointed. "You don't talk larh, you never had this problem!" I really thank God that He has blessed me with so many talents.
But the truth is, for years, even when I had success after success, I never really was happy. I know I was happy in primary school, but when I came to secondary school, success began to catch up with me. I began to take pride in my achievements, and gradually came to build my life around being the best. Life was pretty much about me and what I could achieve, whether in studies or sports. I often succeeded, but I found that it was never enough. I was often jealous of other people's achievements. And to my dismay I found that I had very few close friends. In public I always had a brave and confident front. But inside I was unsure of my own personality, my own character. There was a time when my greatest fear was that people would say that I had no character. And I was always trying to impress people.
I am so, so thankful to say now that life has changed so much for the better, because of what God has done. He has taught me to rest secure in His love, so that I have no need to prove anything to the world. He has taught me to love others and place them above myself, helping me to build proper and meaningful friendships and relationships. Above all He has taught me that the truest happiness is knowing that there is more to life than just earthly comfort and material wealth; that we have a higher purpose and calling that we were created for; that there is an unshakeable and unfailing love we can rest in.
"Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:32-34
I know that we can be perfectly happy living life comfortably, enjoying the companionship of dear friends, having everything we need materially. I do not deny that is a joy; I believe it is a joy given by God. But I want to share that we can discover an even higher happiness in Jesus. That wherever we go and whatever we do in the future, no matter whether we are rich or poor, whether we are judged "successful" by the world or not, we can be joyful. "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." To my dear classmates, I know it's a time of tough decisions, of nervously awaiting university replies, of facing disappointments. But why settle for the temporal joy that worldly things bring, when we can find something so much better? In good and bad times, in all times, we can still find a deep joy in living and the "peace of God which passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:13).
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