Jack London said, “The proper function of man is to live—not to exist”. You need to think about that.We need some lessons on living. If that sounds foolish to you it might be proof that you need them. There is more to living than just existing. There is more to life than just breathing, moving, eating,working, and sleeping. Your vital signs might indicate that you are alive, but are you really living, or just existing?
The problem is that “living” means different things to different people. Sometimes we hear people, engaged in something they enjoy, say “Man this is living!” They often talk about “living life to its fullest” But what does that mean? For some it’s kicking back with a cold one watching a ball game, or climbing a mountain, catching a big bass, killing a big buck, or shopping, etc. But for the Christian it should be entirely different. We are not at liberty to pick and choose how we live. It should be the same for us as it was with Paul who said, “For to me to live is Christ..”(Phil. 1:21). Rather than talking about “the good life” of which men speak we would be better to think about the abundant life of which Jesus spoke. That’s a life worth living–a life that not only satisfies but also serves. That is the life we should learn to live.
But such a life doesn’t just happen, it requires something from us. We don’t just exist our way into excellence. Growing doesn’t mean that you grow-up. Aging isn’t maturity. Many exist to the end of their lives without ever becoming the person they should or could be. A life well-lived is learned. The time to start is now! Jesus came not only to provide life, but to produce abundant life. He provides love that passeth knowledge, joy unspeakable and full of glory, peace that passeth all understanding, hope that is steadfast and sure. He doesn’t just give us life, He gives us life on the highest plane. We would be foolish to deprive ourselves of the abundant life. Why would you want to live beneath your privilege? God wants better for you than that. If you avail yourself of all God offers you will experience a life beyond anything you ever imagined! The sheep that follow the Shepherd “shall not want”, and that’s what God wants from you and for you.-HDS
