The Fulfilled Life

By Ronald Bartanen    Life is a precious gift from God.  The tragedy is that few recognize the value and purpose of their lives, and consequently find their lives inadequate and unfulfilled.  God, who has created us, has provided in His word, the Bible, sufficient direction for attaining that fulfillment of life which all crave.  This status of life is not to be found in comfortable living conditions, nor in material wealth.  The Bible offers a more satisfactory answer.    It is impossible to single out one single Scripture that would fully provide this instruction.  However, the admonitions of Philippians 4:1-9 would be a choice selection: “Therefore, my beloved and longed for brethren, , my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved.  I implore Euodia and implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord.  And I urge you also, true companion, to help these women who labor with me in the gospel Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers whose names afe in the Book of Life.  Rejoice in the aal\Lord always, and again I say rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men.  The Lord is at hand.  Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known tp God: and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy, --meditate on these things.  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”  We might summarize it by saying that in Christ there is to be found adequate love, joy, gentleness, security, inspiration and peace.    Many have mastered the art of existing, but few the art of truly living.  The art of living may well be the most seldom learned of all the arts.  It doesn’t come naturally.  It begins when one is “born again (from above) …of water and the Spirit” (John 3:3, 5) in a commitment of life to God.

- Ronald Bartanen is a retired minister who for many years served the Lord's church in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. After the passing of his beloved wife, Doris, Ron has relocated from Illinois to Florida where he is near family. He may be contacted at: ron33dor@yahoo.com