We must be careful in how we conduct ourselves in our lifetime. As human beings, we are constantly being torn between choosing to live for something greater than ourselves or living an easy life dedicated to our immediate desires. As a whole, the world seems to be more frequently pursuing the latter because it is easy with seemingly no drawbacks. In fact, when someone decides to fully pursue their own self-interests and do away with worshiping God, they might even begin to see religious life as a means to control people. As it appears, religion is difficult and hedonism is easy. However, Christ tells us to recognize the goodness of a tree by its fruits. Only a good tree can produce good fruits and only a bad tree will produce bad fruits.

When we live a life of hedonism or pursuing only our own desires, we eventually can only think of ourselves. We lose a sense of empathy and community, and will eventually alienate all those around us. Sin is ultimately something that divides and lessens, but if we sacrifice our own self-interests for the sake of others, we build up the community around us. Over time,  selflessness leads to flourishing, whereas selfishness leads to isolation. This is why it is so crucial for us to remember how to properly live in the short amount of time we have on earth. Scripture is filled with examples, both positive and negative, of the immense good that can come from a conversion in lifestyle and the total despair that can come from giving into your own desires. One particularly interesting example of this is the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Assyria was the most powerful empire at its time, and its vast capital of Nineveh was well-known as a center of hedonism at the time. Nineveh is most popularly known through the story of Jonah, a prophet whose hatred for the city only allows him to reluctantly warn them of their impending punishment. Surprisingly, Nineveh listens to him and turns from their hedonism. However, this does not last; this passage comes from the beginning of the book of the prophet Nahum, essentially an entire book dedicated to rejoicing over the destruction of Nineveh after they had returned to their hedonistic ways.

We have two very interesting parallels here: the two prophets and the two ages of Nineveh. The book of Jonah is relatively pessimistic, ending with Jonah asking for death because God saved his repentant enemies. But the book of Nahum is very positive and praiseworthy to God for destroying Nineveh. The story of Nineveh is unfortunate: God kept his word and spared the city, but as soon as they returned to evil, it was destroyed. How does this ancient situation apply to us today? We need to listen to the words of Christ about the essence of suffering and the proper moment for justice. Neither Jonah nor Nahum seem particularly virtuous in their own books, but Nahum’s joy is at least in the temperament of God to be slow to anger, merciful, but also just at the right time. Perhaps you feel like Jonah right now, upset that those who live in hedonism and self-interest are thriving while those who honor God suffer. But what is it costing them to live that life and what is it costing you to fret over them? In the end, it is God who deals death and gives life. Rejoice instead in the opportunity you have to honor Him and to take up your cross for Him.