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.
God Never Changes
Between the year 640 to 608 BC, the prophet Zephaniah spoke to the people of Israel. He warned them of God’s judgment, but he also reminded them of God’s promise for their future.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with singing.”
Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
We aren’t the people of Israel in 640 BC hearing this, but, as students of God’s Word, we can also find comfort in Zephaniah’s words.
We know that God came into our midst through Jesus and that He gave us His Spirit when we believed (John 1:14; Galatians 4:6). We also know that we are deeply loved by God (1 John 4:16). Paul teaches that the peace of God will guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus when we pray to Him (Philippians 4:6-7).
So although we are not Zephaniah’s original audience, we can find comfort in knowing that God is the same throughout all generations. He is still in our...