The Happiest Person On Earth
If you met someone who called themselves “The Happiest Person on Earth,” you would probably assume they had a great life, with little challenges, lots of accomplishments, great health, and a huge bank account. Eddie Jaku, who at 100 years old, wrote a book sharing how he indeed was the happiest person on earth. Eddie was also a holocaust survivor.
How does one endure what is likely the worst experience in human history and be able to call themselves truly happy? The back of the book says this:
“In November 1938, he was beaten, arrested and taken to a concentration camp. Over the next seven years, Eddie faced unimaginable horrors every day, first in Buchenwald, then in Auschwitz, then on a Nazi death march. He lost family, friends, and his country. Because he survived, Eddie made the vow to smile every day. He pays tribute to those who were lost by telling his story, sharing his wisdom, and living his best possible life.”
Eddie chose life every day, even while he was in Auschwitz. He did his best to look for the positive, to find some way to see a little bit of light or hope and to lend a hand to others. His story is a reminder that all of us have a choice every day to focus on what is bad in life, or focus on the good. Julie shared with me this morning about the billionaire investor, Warren Buffett, that when has a negative thought, he quickly tries to counter it with three positive thoughts. She gave the example: “If he complains to himself about a flat tire, he then says, ‘I’m glad I have a car, I have enough money to buy a new tire, I have strong enough arms to put on the spare.'”
Whatever you choose to meditate on will shape your mind, your heart, and your attitude about life. That’s why I was so encouraged, as I shared Sunday, by Larry Peercy’s habit, even at 90 years old, of reviewing every day, one of the sections from Revelation chapters 2-3 that he’s memorized. Seven churches and seven days of the week. He keeps his mind sharp that way, and he also keeps the “end of the matter” at the front of his mind.
We will see this Sunday, as we look at the letter to the church at Ephesus, that their main charge, their main action point was to Repent, and Remember. I think the more we focus on remembering the Gospel, remembering what Christ has done on our behalf, and remembering that He will return, the more we will walk in joy and hope throughout the day. I believe Valley View is full of people who walk this way, who daily choose to remember Christ, and God is going to use us to reach the South End of Louisville!