As I sit in a Delta SkyClub in Atlanta drinking a San Pellegrino with lime, I am overwhelmed by how rich my life is.

In English there are a few different connotations the word ‘rich’ brings to the table. One denotes something of high quality or satisfaction. I.e., “This food tastes extremely rich.” “What a rich color that carpet has.” Another meaning brings the idea of monetary advantage. “Look at his car! He must be rich.” A third, and this one is my personal favorite, is using the word ‘rich’ to talk about ones life and/or experiences. While this use is somewhat similar in presentation to the first (and maybe the second), it is different in nature because of where it’s adjectival value is derived. The first two connotations indicate a man-made value, a cause and effect relationship between a substance (food, money, etc.) and how it pleases the senses. In opposition, the third connotation is not derived or caused by any man-made incidence, but rather comes from a place of joy and love for life. This type of pure, complete joy cannot come from anything any person can accomplish or create, but rather comes from the decision one makes to choose joy in their present circumstances. Joy is not determined by circumstances, but rather by attitude. Furthermore, I fully believe that the only way to know true joy is to know He who created it, and who longs to give it to all of His children! We don’t deserve to have rich lives full of joy and peace, but we are given it because He loves us. Everything in your life from the moment of conception down to the last breath you take is coated in His love, because His love and desire for YOU are the very reason you exist at all. It’s a beautiful thing when we begin to see the fingerprints of our creator on our lives.

My life is not rich because I get to travel or drink overpriced water (though I am very blessed to be able to do these things, and I appreciate them!) but because God’s love permeates every fiber of my being. Because the nature of our God is to love and bless beyond all human reason would dictate, the only type of life I have to live is a rich one.