The Secret to a Great Life

HIGHLIGHT: Proverbs 21: 21. Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

EXPLAIN: Whoever = whoever! Everyone has a choice to pursue something, and we all do. The writer says that whoever pursues righteousness and love. Righteousness is a word that points toward right relatedness. It is the understanding that there is nothing in between two parties that would cause any division. Love is defined as seeking out someone's best interest. This definition reminds us that love is not simply goose bumps on our arms, but a desire to seek out and act for the sake of someone's betterment in life.

The people who would pursue these two things will be rewarded by finding life: the word here means a happiness that is with your throughout life. Finding prosperity: the word also refers to righteousness with the understanding that right-relatedness brings about a prosperity in relationships. Finding honor: this word refers to glory, knowing that God is pleased and glorified in your life.

APPLY: When my eyes worked over this verse, my heart stopped and jump with the power of the wisdom found in these two lines. We know in life that not everyone has the ability to attain massive wealth, or extra education or even influential relationships. However, everyone can choose to pursue righteousness and love.

Righteousness is always a move towards right-relatedness. It simply means that you and: God, your spouse, friend, kids, boss, neighbor, etc. are in a relationship where you are not trying to hide something from the other. Your relationship is: on point, on the level, and has a since that you are journeying together for the betterment of life.

This is where the pursuit of love comes to the front. The pursuit of love here is much different than in our current society. This love that is pursued is the seeking out of the best for the other person. When you define love this way, you can recognize that love is more than goose bumps on your arm and an uptick in your heart rate. When you love someone, you are actively asking how you can make their life better. At times you will enjoy this love (hugs, gifts, or encouraging words may be the rewards). At other times, you may not enjoy it as much (when your kid gets mad because you kept them from playing in the street, when your watch your spouse playing with fire and you find a way to take the match away).

When you pursue righteousness and love, the writer declares you will find life, prosperity and honor. You will experience joy that is consistently bubbling up, relationships that are growing out and deep, and you will know that God is leading and pleased with your progress in life.

RESPONSE: Lord, may my eyes be focused on you and may my efforts be to live righteously with you and those around me. Help my heart to beat with yours and seek out the best for others around me and for the glory of the You, who loved me first!