While it can be viewed as a morbid thought, the reality is that life is brief! We do not have long to enjoy it. We certainly cannot afford to wait until we reach the age of retirement, or until we are empty-nesters, or when we are promoted into the corner office, before we start “living.” We need to enjoy life, every day of our life.
The sage writer of Ecclesiastes urged his readers to “live joyfully.” That is, savor each day of life. He also encouraged those of us who are married to enjoy life with our spouse. We too often can take our spouse for granted in the hurly-burly events of our life. But it is most often in the simple pleasures of a spouse and a companion that we find the greatest joy. Likewise we cannot wait until our work is finished before we find happiness. Rather, we can find pleasure in our daily work.
In our day of economic decline, job pressures, and scant finances, it is tempting to forgo our joy as we try and “make it through” another week. Don’t do that! If God has granted you a spouse or a job or other simple pleasures, enjoy them thoroughly!