Enlightened Living!

Without the PROPER CENTRAL FOCUS for life we will not only struggle with living life, but will most likely find ourselves having difficulty understanding our purpose or reason for living. Though we live in a dark world God has provided glimpses of what is to come as well as wisdom for daily living -- all sufficient to bring us the enlightenment we need.

Voltaire (actual name Francois Marie Arouet) who lived from 1694 to 1778, was a French writer and philosopher who served as one of the leaders during the Enlightenment. The Enlightenment was an intellectual movement in western Europe during the 18th century that placed emphasis on the use of reason and science in studying culture and the world. [fact source: Microsoft ® Encarta ® 2002] However, when I read some of Voltaire’s quotes I am sometimes struck by how dark his enlightenment appears to have been.

Voltaire is quoted as saying, “I hate life, and yet I hate to die.”

What a dismal picture of living out one’s days! Enlightened? To me it is a very dark picture of one’s existence. There are some who think they are enlightened who are really still in darkness. What we set our eyes upon and how we view things is very important.

Jesus stated…
“(22) The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, (23) but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. IF THEN THE LIGHT IN YOU IS DARKNESS, HOW GREAT IS THE DARKNESS!” ( Matthew 6:22-23 ESV)

Paul lived joyfully and powerfully. Why? Note the great contrast between his view and that of Voltaire.

To the church at Philippi, Paul wrote…
“For to me TO LIVE IS CHRIST, and TO DIE IS GAIN.” ( Philippians 1:21
ESV)

What a truly bright and enlightened view for living. Though Paul faced many challenges he did not hold a fatalistic outlook regarding life. Paul’s words seem to have expressed a win/win perspective. For Paul, to LIVE; that was CHRIST! CHRIST was His life. CHRIST was at the center of His purpose for living and breathing and serving and teaching. And to die was to be with CHRIST eternally. ( Philippians 1:23) Life and death connected to CHRIST provided Paul with an abiding sense of purpose and hope. I believe Paul truly new what it meant TO LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL. ( John 10:10)

What more closely describes our outlook for living? Voltaire’s? Paul’s? CHRIST came so that we could receive true enlightenment. ( John 1:9) May we keep Him as the CENTRAL FOCUS for our life and the assurance of an even brighter glorious future beyond this realm.

Have a great day LIVING IN THE LIGHT OF THE LORD!
Carl

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