The Good Life
Everyone on earth is searching for a good and meaningful life. We all want our lives to be filled with purpose and fulfillment. We all want our lives to matter. But we often search for fulfillment and meaning through things that cannot fulfill us.
Many people try to find purpose in fame and admiration from people. Others try to find fulfillment through material possessions. Still others pursue a good life through working hard and building security through wealth.
The truth is, none of those methods will bring true happiness or fulfillment in life. There will come a time when fame and fortune fade, when material possessions lose their charm, and when our security is no longer there.
Jesus says that the enemy will always try to steal our attention away from what truly matters by distracting us with earthly things. But this way only ends in death and destruction. Jesus says there is another way to find a truly good life.
In John 10, Jesus compares Himself to a good shepherd who cares for and feeds the sheep in His pasture. Jesus says that He is the gate for the sheep to enter into the courtyard. While speaking in metaphors, Jesus is saying that anyone who wants to gain true access to salvation must come through Him.
Jesus also says that it is through Him that we will find true life. It is only through trusting in Jesus and following Him that we can experience life to the fullest. Fulfillment and doesn't come from possessions or wealth or status or security. It comes through following Jesus as our Shepherd.
Take some time to think about the way you’re searching for fulfillment, for meaning in your life. Are you finding it through things of this world? Or are you following Jesus and trusting in Him to produce meaning and purpose in your life?
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and He wants to lead you into a fulfilled, abundant life. So continue to trust in Him and follow Him. Life with Jesus is the good life.
Run Your Race
We all know it—life isn’t easy.
Sometimes challenges can arise that are so difficult we may want to throw in the towel. Whether it's an overwhelming circumstance, the demands of family life, or the pressures of work, it can sometimes feel like too much. When we find ourselves wanting to quit, the book of Hebrews gives us a powerful encouragement to hold onto:
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
Hebrews 12:1 NIV
“Witnesses” refer to believers who have gone before us, those whose lives are a testament of faithfulness to God. Their presence reminds us that we're part of a larger story, a legacy of faith that spans generations.
This scripture also urges believers to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles." Hindrances may be easy to see, such as sinful distractions that...