Harvard Study Discovers the Secret to a Good Life (Sermon Illustration)

What is the secret to a good life?

A recent article in the Washington Post highlights a massive Harvard University study that found the answer:

For close to 80 years, Harvard University researchers have studied the lives of the same group of men. Since 1938, they’ve tracked their development, documenting every two years details about their physical and emotional health, their employment, their families and their friendships.

By looking at human development over a lifespan, the early researchers hoped to find trends that would provide insight into what factors ultimately led to a good life.

The big takeaway from the decades of research and millions of dollars spent on the famous Grant Study is that, as the Beatles sang, all you need is love. It was not money or status that determined a good life. Those who were happiest and healthier reported strong interpersonal relationships, while those who were isolated had declines in mental and physical health as they aged.

This shouldn’t surprise Christians. We didn’t need millions of dollars and decades of research.

The answer is what Jesus has taught all along: the most important thing in life is to love God and love people.

Building treasure on earth and living for the approval of others will never satisfy your soul.

If you want to live the good life, love God and love people.

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