My wife was out of town and I wanted to boil some eggs. Of course everyone thinks they can boil eggs, but I’ve seen enough cracked eggs rolling around in boiling water to know that it is not that easy. I called the wife of one of my elders and asked her how to boil eggs. She did not laugh. She said, “Put the water and eggs on and wait for it to boil. Let them boil for exactly three minutes. After the three minutes are up, set the pan with the eggs and water in them off to the side. Put a cover over them and let them cool down for 20 minutes.” I did and they were perfect. Since then I have shared the secret with others. Everyone tells me that it works perfectly every time!
There are two things I really like about this. (1) I love anything that helps me get anything perfect every time. (2) I love formulas. I wish all of life’s problems could be solved with a formula or recipe. While I recognize the following is not a formula, it is a set of guidelines that are sure to make you a more joyful Christian.
1. Begin each day with a prayer. “Pray without ceasing.” ( 1 Thess 5:17)
2. Be honorable in all your dealings. “Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2)
3. Use your influence to help someone else. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16)
4. Let time be a tool, not a tyrant. “Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.” (Eph 5:16)
5. Practice forgiveness daily. “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matt 6:14)
This is not a simplistic recipe for happiness, but rather a look at guidelines that lead to joy. They are not all of the guidelines on this subject. For more on this subject, let’s add a sixth guideline: Read your Bible daily. (Psalms 119:11), “I have hidden your Word in my heart.”
~Lonnie Davis
Dec 21, 2008
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