If you are bent on having a life centered on amusement and entertainment, don't read on, for you will in no wise benefit from it. But if you're searching for contentment, read on. Why does life seem so hard, or boring, or dull? Why do we feel so unfulfilled? Is it not because we always seek the perishable things first instead of the imperishable? That man behind the curtain is self. When we strive to become a new person, reborn, then we no longer listen to that man behind the curtain. You may recall in THE WIZARD OF OZ that Dorothy is told by the wizard on the large screen to not pay any attention to that man behind the curtain. Of course that man did not wish to reveal his true self. The same goes for us if we are a genuine Christian. When we begin to face reality and change a bit of our lifestyle, our sixteen hours of non-sleep time becomes more meaningful to us. We no longer listen easily to that false person behind the curtain, who is Satan himself trying his best to work in our intellect with worldly wisdom, which eventually and always comes to nought.

What about the imperishable? I've heard it said, "If it feels good, do it." That's the first sign of failure, leading only to destruction. That notion is doomed to failure. Every day, if possible, try to find a quiet place, a quiet space in your sixteen hour non-sleep portion of your day to have some inner peace and quiet reflection within you. I often play spiritual music first to aid me in laying aside all earthly cares. Then I can focus on non-worldly things. It is then when I can notice the vanity and frivolity that has been surrounding me for so long.

In an age of uncertainty, is it any wonder why forlorn people seem to proliferate? Can we stay the course of despair? You bet we can! We can change our negative habits one at a time (God is merciful), as painful as this might appear to be. We can change our value system, even a little bit. I was once a C student, perhaps even being close to dyslexic, but now turned into an avid reader, not to mention writer. I do hope my eyesight holds up. Laugh out loud! Instead of frivolity, I found contentment in as much imperishable knowledge that I could attain. The point here is that the tempter cannot easily get to me like before. I'm occupied with lovely things now. You know the few times I inadvertently stumbled upon pornography on the web, I quickly realized (my conscience) that there was something much better in life than that stuff (just a perversion of God's gift to mankind in relationships). The tempter would then flee from be because I adopted and applied spiritual truths by reading many spiritual books. If one desires to be truly happy and fulfilled, if one searches for it diligently, it will be revealed and granted by Almighty God. 

You may say that nothing ever seems to change your circumstances in life. "Iv'e tried everything," you say. But sometimes we are truly our own worst enemy. If you "do unto others what you wish them to do to you" (Luke 6:31), then your circumstances in life will take on a whole different meaning--a whole different way of spending your time on this earth. Reflect on this when you have that quiet time. Make sure that the wrong application of pride is eliminated from your life. Our Lord has given us life and breath and everything. His grace just stands at the door of your heart to accept you, just as you are, but make sure you are humble. "He will never break a bruised reed or quench a smoldering wick" (Matthew 12: 20). We must always remember that only genuine faith, even in the midst of tribulation, pleases God. Lastly, sometimes the Lord gives us a trial/test to see if our faith is unshakable. Invite him into your heart today and then rejoice! It's a thing of the heart of course.