What Makes You Happy and Satisfied?

Last night Debbie and I attended our 17th University of Kansas Honor’s Dinner. We hosted the event where we recognized the top 10% of our graduating class along with the top 10% of the Osage County and Wabaunsee County Schools. It’s always a privilege to honor the best and brightest.

Our guest speaker was Dr. Marlesa Roney from KU. She motivated the kids and encouraged them to make a difference in this world. A question she asked the students was a simple one, but one that we all need to consider from time to time. The question was, “what makes you happy and satisfied?”

As I sat there and considered the question, I thought to myself right now I am really not very happy or satisfied.

Stress at work, activities and meetings each night, late night dinners, holidays coming up but having to work because of reports being due, and pending state budget cuts where I am going to have to lay people off. How can I really be happy and satisfied with all these struggles?

Slow down world. Let me off this rat race. I want to be content, happy and satisfied but how?

By going back to where true happiness is found…….in Christ.

When I got out of the dinner I thought about the words to this new song that I have fallen in love with. It describes what Christ did for me and continues to do each and every day…………

"In Christ Alone"
Words and Music by Keith Getty & Stuart Townend
Copyright © 2001 Kingsway Thankyou Music

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,
Light of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.