We are still at the beginning of a new year, and for many is the time for resolutions, prayers, supplications and wishing—wishing for better days, new opportunities, and a fresh start. Now, imagine you suddenly find yourself in the presence of our generous God—the One who owns everything and can do absolutely anything. Imagine this same God, who loves you beyond measure, saying, “Ask me for anything that will make you completely fulfilled this year, and your wish will be granted.”

I don’t know how you’d respond to such an extraordinary offer. But if this opportunity had come to me a few years ago (thank goodness it didn’t!), my answer might have sounded something like this:

“Wow! Thank you, God, for this incredible gesture. I would love vast material wealth, excellent health, and a long, pain-free life. I’ve always dreamed of being famous, adored by everyone, and universally respected. If you can make all that happen, Lord, it would be amazing. Oh, and if possible, could you guarantee that I’ll always get whatever I want, whenever I want, exactly the way I want it? That would be fantastic—thank you again, Lord, and cheers…”

This, of course, is a fictional scenario. But something very real happened to a fortunate young king—a teenage Jewish ruler named Solomon. According to scripture, one night God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him to make a wish. Unlike the long list I might have rattled off, Solomon asked for just one thing—wisdom. As a young ruler entrusted with leading the mighty nation of Israel, he sought the discernment to govern wisely and distinguish right from wrong.

Remarkably, Solomon received much more than he asked for: unparalleled wisdom, vast wealth, health, fame, and longevity. Yet, despite all these blessings, something was missing—Solomon was never truly happy. He famously lamented, “Vanity of vanities… everything is meaningless” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). His immense wisdom and wealth did not bring him lasting joy or fulfilment.

King Solomon’s experience is far from unique. Across history, philosophy, theology, and science, a consistent truth emerges: material success alone cannot provide true and lasting happiness. Consider Adam and Eve, who possessed the entirety of the world yet remained discontent, yearning for more. Scientific studies further confirm this reality, showing that while human beings—particularly in the Western world—have become materially wealthier and physically healthier than previous generations, we have also grown increasingly unhappy. This paradox is evident in the escalating mental health crisis, especially among the rich and famous, marked by family and relationship dysfunctions, addictions, substance abuse, overdoses, and alarming rates of suicide. These patterns underscore the reality that fulfilment and lasting joy require something far deeper than material abundance or physical well-being alone.

At this point, you might be thinking, “Oh, please don’t take us back to the old-school preaching that condemns material prosperity as evil!” Let me assure you—I’m not. Material prosperity is important, but it’s not enough on its own. True fulfilment requires something deeper—what I call holistic prosperity or bliss. Just as our bodies need a balanced diet to thrive, our whole being—body, mind, and spirit—requires a balance of essential virtues to experience complete well-being. This is the essence of a blissful life.

Scientific evidence -including from my own research – supports the idea that human flourishing involves more than material wealth. Studies have identified four key virtues that nourish holistic prosperity. Together, they form the acronym LOVE: Linkedness, Opulence, Valory, and Equanimity. Linkedness represents unconditional acceptance and belonging, fostering harmony with God, people, and nature. It nurtures our identity as beloved children of God and deepens our trust in His unwavering love. Opulence refers to confidence in God’s provision and faith that material needs will be met. It combines divine assurance with a sense of personal agency in achieving abundance. Valory signifies purposeful living aligned with God’s will, which brings joy, meaning, and fulfilment. Equanimity reflects resilience and courage to navigate life’s trials, trusting in God’s strength to uncover hidden blessings even in adversity. Therefore, while Opulence—material wealth—is important, it alone cannot lead to a flourishing life. Without Linkedness, Valory, and Equanimity, wealth can leave us empty and dissatisfied.

Crucially, God is the source of LOVE and bliss. More importantly, God is the source of life itself. The Bible tells us, “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Without a secure relationship with God, existence and true fulfilment are impossible. C.S. Lewis once said that just as a car cannot run without petrol, a human being cannot flourish without God. We were created to live in a relationship with Him.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that God’s love is the greatest gift, surpassing material wealth, prophecy, miraculous powers, and even wisdom. He famously declared that all other gifts are like ‘faeces’ when compared with the surpassing greatness of God’s love. Without love, all other gifts lose their significance. They may glitter on the surface, but they lack the power to bring inner peace or lasting joy (1Corinthians 13:1-13).

Sadly, many would rather choose God’s presents than His presence. We have a transactional love-hate relationship with God, treating Him as a kind of spiritual cash machine. We approach Him with a transactional love-hate mindset, seeking His gifts rather than cherishing a relationship with Him. It’s as if we measure His goodness solely by the material blessings He provides, worshipping and celebrating Him only when He meets our expectations. But God offers us something far greater than material wealth—He offers Himself. Having Him is the greatest gift of all. His presence is the ultimate present.

Jesus once asked, “What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36). He also taught us not to worry about our basic material needs, saying, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness”—a secure, right relationship with God—”and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). This underscores that a relationship with God is the foundation of a truly blissful life, where everything we need, including material blessings in the right measure, is provided.

A relationship with God is like the umbilical cord that connects an unborn child to its mother. Without the cord, the child cannot survive—not because the nutrients aren’t available, but because the connection to the source is missing. Yet, more important than the cord itself is the mother, who is the source of life and sustenance. Similarly, God is the ultimate source of all we need. Without a relationship with Him, we sever our access to true life—not because blessings aren’t there, but because we’ve distanced ourselves from the One who provides them.

A couple of years ago, I was like many who believed that material wealth was the ultimate source of bliss. However, I have since discovered the place I call home—a sanctuary beyond sight, sound, or imagination. In this sacred space, I encounter LOVE in its purest and most profound form. In God’s presence, I experience a fulfilment so deep that words cannot adequately describe it. It is the ultimate treasure, a divine gift that eclipses every worldly pleasure. Once you have tasted this LOVE, everything else pales into insignificance. It is a blissful essence as natural and inseparable as water’s wetness—unchanging and eternal.

This bliss surpasses the allure of wealth, fame, power, or even life itself. God’s presence is my all, filling me with a completeness that transcends every measure. This sacred place is my fortress, my strong tower, and my refuge. It is the home where my soul finds rest, my eternal sanctuary. Here, in God’s presence, I have found the truest sense of belonging, and here, I will dwell forever.

So, as this year begins, if God were to ask me what I want (even if He doesn’t), my response would be simple: “God, this year and always, I need more of your presence. I want to draw closer to you and be filled with your LOVE.”

May you discover the sanctity of God’s presence. May the love of God and His peace, which surpass all human understanding, fill your heart this year and always.

Amen.