In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (John 1:4)
Enjoy Life…with Jesus
Hello saints,
A friend gave us a 2-day getaway to a house that sits on the shores of Lake Erie, which we took advantage of at the beginning of last week. It was a beautiful setting overlooking the lake. Across the road, on the shore was perched atop a pole, a 6-family bird house. It was a bustling center of acrobatic maneuvers as these birds avoided each other in their pursuit to prepare their homes for the next generation. Birds were flying in and out all day long – bringing long grass, and string, and whatever else was needed to build their nests. It was quite a frenzy of activity. Lurking ten feet below them was a completely different scene – thousands of small dead fish who had succumbed to the harsh winter and extended period of frozen water. A mass fish die-off had affected the whole perimeter of Lake Erie, on both sides of the border. Millions of these sardine-like creatures littered the hundreds of miles of shoreline around the lake. Scientists blame it on the long winter we had and were not too concerned because this particular fish was an invasive species anyways. As I researched this phenomenon, it seems that Lake Huron had also experienced a mass fish die off, however this one was concerning since it affected a large number of prized gamefish – the culprit being a viral infection. Our world is full of contrasts! New life and death are happening simultaneously every minute of every hour for every species of creature on planet earth. We all know this, but every so often, the picture is vividly displayed in techno-color reality. In every hospital, there is a floor for new births, while on the adjacent floors, people succumb to their illnesses. We make plans and dream dreams only to have them side-tracked or thwarted by the unexpected illness or death. To this conundrum we can take the fatalistic attitude of the teacher in Ecclesiastes of “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” – a self-serving, hedonistic attitude of ‘make the best of a bad situation’, living for the moment type lifestyle. Or the complete opposite - we can see that we have been placed here for a short time to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. According to scripture, true life is not found in accomplishing things that bring joy to me, but that true life is found in relationship with Him who is Life! For whoever has the Son has life – God has given us eternal life, (those who have put their faith in Jesus)– and that life is in His Son (1John 5:11-12).
True joy is not in satisfying my fleeting desires but is found solely in God (John 15:11) as I see Him move and work in me, through me, around me. It is realizing that God has given me all things for my enjoyment (1Tim. 6:17) so that through His given joy, I might glorify Him, praise Him, magnify His Holy Name! When I see the birds buzzing about building their nests, reproducing young ones, I am overjoyed with life, that God is still on the throne, ruling and reigning over His creation, reminding myself that if He looks after the birds of the air so thoroughly, and He loves me much more than them, because I am more valuable than them to Him, how much more will He supply my needs, including the need for joy and contentment (Matt. 6:26-30). I am overjoyed that God would remove an invasive species from a lake so that the fish we use for food can thrive, or so that scientists could discover that there is a pollutant causing damage to the fish we eat. See, when I realize that God loves me and wants to give me life, everything changes…He is not a cosmic killjoy as some see Him, but is actually the source of true joy, and only in Him can I understand the true meaning of life!
I know this world is full of trials, disappointments, troubles, hurt and pain, death and suffering. The cost of humanity ignoring Him and going against Him is enormous and has caused the chaos we see today. The good news is that God knows the state of the world too! He uses all of it for His glory. His original design was a joy-filled relationship with Him in a beautiful garden setting. He will eventually return His creation to that Edenic state, but He has left getting there up to our choosing – He provided the way, but we have to choose the narrow path. That Path is Jesus…in whom is life, light and joy! Death is not an obstacle for God – He’s overcome it! Sin is not a hinderance for us – He’s atoned for it! Eternal life is not merely a future state – He gained it for us now! Friends, can I encourage you to live life to the fullest with Jesus. Let His kingdom reign be so visible in your life that those around you might “see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Live like you’re on your way to heaven, and even more so, that you’re already seated there with Jesus! Live like you have eternal life now, for the Bible says you do! “Heaven came down, and glory filled my soul, when at the cross my Savior made me whole!” And I will always be ready to give an answer to those who ask the reason for the hope I have - I have life, cause I have Jesus, and I am filled with joy even in the trials of life!
Be Blessed
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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