Three keys to living a fulfilling life
As a pastor this is completely a matter of opinion although I do believe I have found compelling scriptural evidence, I understand you may disagree. This is not intended to be a sermon but more of a conversation. As it is intended to be a conversation it could lead to deeper theological truth, or just some worldly rabbit trail that is completely useless. In the end I have been guilty of both even with the best intentions.
The three keys are more of a product of observation on my part. I will share them one at a time, give some scriptural reference and tie the key and scripture to a real world experience. I will not be sharing in any specific order but I will give you my preference for a logical order. Feel free to share these keys with anyone as I truly believe they are necessary to living a full, complete, and meaningful life. Now for the pessimist reading the article I am not saying you must have all three of these things in your life to be happy. As a pastor I am not concerned with happiness. Happiness is a feeling a very personal feeling of your own making. I am not responsible for your happiness. I cannot control your happiness.
The first key is Church. You must find, join, and be active in a local Church. I list this one first because this is where and how we learn our created purpose. Not only our created purpose but how we are to interact within the confines of our own personal human frailty and sin nature. For the believer this is who we are. We try and we fail but thru Christ we are forgiven and we try again. This can be found in Leviticus 26:2, Isaiah 58:13, and Hebrews 10:25. I list them because this is where God tells us three different times in the bible to “Go to Church”. As a pastor this drives me crazy when grown adults say, “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian”. God is very clear on this issue and He says Go to Church. Now if you will not listen to God or if you choose not to obey you can stop reading here. The other two keys only work in complement with Church attendance.
Key number two, get a job. This one is a little simpler. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 and 1 Timothy 5:8 show it is your responsibility to provide for you and your family. You will need a job in order to do this. Moreover this is NOT the responsibility of the Federal, State, or local government. Yes there are legitimate exceptions but they are exceptions not the majority.
Key number three, find a spouse. Not a friend with benefits, not a one night stand, not a live in sex partner. The bible teaches it is not good to be alone.
Genesis chapter 2 makes it clear God makes us to live in unity with our spouse. In order to provide for your spouse you are going to need that job mentioned above. In order for two people to become one they are going to need the Church mentioned above. So there you have it 3 Keys to a fulfilling Life.