As a young girl, I had been touched by the sweet story of God's love as revealed in the mighty work of Christ on Calvary. In simplicity I had received Him as my Savior and taken my place among the people of God. This was enough to satisfy me until, in my late teens and nearing graduation, I slipped into close companionship with my peers in school. With them, I saw no evil in joining in with youthful "fun" and worldly pursuits. An appetite for these deceitful pleasures was born in me, and, sad to say, they were thoroughly enjoyed.
Though I still claimed to be a Christian and meticulously performed all religious duties (even singing in a paid quartet choir!) for many years my real pleasure was found in worldly amusements. Concerts, opera, high-class plays and movies occupied my leisure hours. No sense of a wounded conscience marred my on-going; yet when sheer weariness sometimes overtook me, a voice within whispered: "This is all very good if it could last forever. But remember, there must come an end—death—judgment—and after that—what?"
These occasional thoughts troubled me, I must confess, hindering what I so much desired—real, undisturbed joy. Yet, while I kept one foot in the world, as it were, the other one remained respectably in my place of worship which I attended every Sunday. However, my religion gave me even less satisfaction than my amusements.
This went on until a young friend, a companion of mine, was saved through that precious verse in God's Word: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16).
Shortly after she was saved, as we talked together, she asked me: "Is this world all that is worth living for?"
I became angry at her for disturbing my mind with questions about eternal things, and thereafter left her alone. But I could not get away from that question: "Is this world all that is worth living for?"
No, I knew it was not. What I had been enjoying of this world was satisfying only to the flesh. I knew I had a never-dying soul and that it required spiritual nourishment. I knew there was a heaven and a hell. I knew I was a sinner and had lived for years in rebellion against God and was on the road to destruction. My peace was broken. I saw my lost condition and resolved to lead a different life.
I began by attending church more often, and even reproved some of my companions who did not. I tried to pray. I asked God to have mercy on me. Still, no peace could I find until one day, while I was walking down the street, the lines of a hymn came into my mind:
"One there is above all others,
Oh, how He loves!"
I asked myself, can it be possible that God loves me? In a moment the answer came from God Himself in that verse: "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." Rom. 5:66For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. (Romans 5:6).
"Why, that is just me," I thought. "I am without strength, and have been living in ungodliness. If Christ died for such, He died for me."
There and then I trusted Him for my eternal salvation. If Christ died for me, He would never give me up! With penitent tears, I confessed my sins and failures, and lack of love to Him. A hitherto unknown sense of peace and joy filled my heart.
Oh, young woman, young man, consider: "Is this world all that is worth living for?" Listen to the good news-God loves you! Jesus shed His precious blood to save you from the wrath to come. This world and its pleasures can yield no lasting peace nor joy. Hear what Scripture says about it: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." 1 John 2:15-1715Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1 John 2:15‑17).
But you say, "I am young, and I want to be happy." If so, come to Christ; for it is only in Him that true joy is found. Confess Him as your very own Savior. His word to you is: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life." John 6:4747Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life. (John 6:47).