What Matters
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions” 1 John 3:18
In 1938 a group of researchers from Harvard University set out to answer the question of what habits led to a fulfilling life.
They chose a group of 268 men who for the next seventy-five years were studied on a range of psychological, physical, economic, and spiritual characteristics. Called the Grant Study (named after its patron W. T. Grant, the department-store baron), it became the longest-running longitudinal study of human development.
With the remaining participants now reaching into their early nineties, George Vaillant, the last acting director of the Grant Study, decided to bring it to a close by publishing what they had learned in a remarkable book called Triumphs of Experience.
After more than seventy-five years of research, they learned that while factors such as education, a stable marriage, and healthy lifestyle choices were all helpful for a good life, there was only one thing that really mattered to a vibrant life: love.
The capacity to love and be loved is the point of our human existence.
“The only thing that really matters in life [is] your relations to other people,” Vaillant said.
In all that we do, we need to love others.
Thank the Lord that He loves you. Show your appreciation by loving others for Jesus.
He alone loves the Creator perfectly who manifests a pure love for his neighbor.
“Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” Romans 12:9-10
“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” 1 Timothy 1 :5