I began thinking about how many times and ways we use the word “good” the other day so I got out my heavy dictionary and looked up the word.  I couldn’t believe how may definitions there were about that one word, such as having positive or desirable qualities, not bad, serving the end desired, suitable, not spoiled or ruined, able to be used, of high quality, competent, skilled, and many more.  As I scanned the rest of the list I noticed it also meant genuine, real, of moral excellence, virtuous, upright, such as a good man or woman, and the Good Book.  I began thinking of an expression we use often, such as leading a “good life.”  

Does my life have positive or desirable qualities?  Is it serving the end desired—or what is the end I desire for my life to serve?  What is God’s desire for this stage of my life?  Am I being competent and skilled and able to be used by God?  Am I leading a “good life” or just a cheap substitute?  Is my life really dedicated to fulfilling God’s purpose for me or am I just filling it with clutter that’s a distraction from my real purpose?  

I think many times in our life we say we love God and go to church because we know it is the right thing to do and we want people to think we are a “good Christian.”  We want to “look good” to other people, but God knows the real person.  Do we really love Him enough to want to get to know Him and learn from Him how we can serve Him and how He can use us?  

I think of sacrifice as giving up something we have.  When we sacrifice to God we are giving up something we think we need, but He replaces it with something much better and more fulfilling that enriches our lives.  We are called to offer our bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is our spiritual service of worship (Romans 12:1).  The more I offer myself to Him, the more He can lead me and use me.  The more time I spend reading the Good Book, the more He can show me how to be a good wife and mother and friend.  He can enrich my soul and give me joy.  I have the joy of the Lord no matter what the circumstances in the world and in my personal life when I spend time with Him and offer my life and my time for Him to use.  I have the joy and love He gives me to share with others and to be the encourager He needs in this life of changing times we are living in.  That is truly living the “good life” and keeping it real. 

Romans 12:1,2 ”I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

John 15:11 ”These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.”