“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” – Jesus (John 10:9-10).
We were created for life. We need this reminder in a world where we are surrounded by death. We have accepted death as natural, but it is not – it is an intruder. So often we pursue a “good life” and settle for a “simple life” but Jesus promises full life, great life, abundant life. Is it possible that we need to redefine life because we have accepted a warped definition?
Life is more than simply the action of our cells or the sum total of our day to day occurrences. Life is the experience of being what we were made to be. We were created to be in a loving relationship with our Creator. We are made to live in God’s presence and experience and enjoy his glory. We were made for this and Jesus came to save us for this very purpose – real life, true life, full life.
We must not be tempted to think that this means we will get everything we want because the truth is what we want is too little. Our appetites are too small and we fill them with trivial things. No, the life promised by Jesus is far greater than mere fulfillment of our temporary pleasures. When Jesus promises life, he is promising a return to the very purpose for which we were created.
Real life is the absolute joy of knowing we are loved and accepted by the perfect God who has given his son to die in our place and declares us righteous because of that sacrifice. It is the overflowing and unending joy of knowing that the greatest need we will ever have has been met and that all other needs pale in comparison. It is the confidence that comes from knowing our life does not depend on this changing world, on fickle people, or even our own abilities, but is anchored in the unchanging love of God.
Life exists because God has created life, provided salvation for life through Jesus, and calls us to life that “whoever believes in him (Jesus) might not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Yes, this Thanksgiving I am thankful for real, full life.
image from flickr user HAMED MASOUMI