Article August 15, 1988 Issue

Zest for life

We're meant to live life— and to love it.

Isabel F. Bates

"Zest for life" commonly means a keen enjoyment in living, an eagerness to go forward, an anticipation of good things. Interpreted spiritually, however, the phrase involves more than this. It could mean an eagerness to learn more of the spiritual nature of our being, reflecting God, and of how to prove the freedom and dominion that come with that uplifted sense. It could include a lively consciousness of the blessings that we receive from God, divine Love, and a warm appreciation for them.

But what can we do when we feel we've lost our zest for living, when—to use a phrase of Christ Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount—the salt seems to have "lost his savour," and existence seems tasteless, joyless? Problems may loom so large and the feeling of depression so heavy that we think, What's the use? It's all too much for me! Besides, maybe my work is done. Why not let go, just sit and vegetate until I simply fade away?

It may be hard to believe, but the fact is that when we sag to such a low level of morale, we're actually on holy ground— and we can prove it. That is the time when, like the prodigal in Jesus' parable^{See Luke 15:11–24 .} who had spent his entire inheritance and would have gladly eaten the husks, we are ready to awake from our dependency on mortal ways of thinking and to make the decision the prodigal made: "I will arise and go to my father." This is the time for us to turn with humble hearts to our heavenly Father, God, and obey Him.

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