The Good Life
Everyone on earth is searching for a good and meaningful life. We all want our lives to matter—to be filled with purpose and fulfillment. 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 other people. Others try to find fulfillment through material possessions. Still others pursue a good life through working hard and building security through wealth.
Unfortunately, none of those methods will bring true happiness or fulfillment in life. There will come a time when fame and fortune fades, when material possessions lose their charm, and when our security is no longer there.
Jesus says this is the way the enemy works. The thief tries to steal our attention away from what truly matters by distracting us with earthly things that we think will satisfy. But this way only ends in death and destruction. Jesus says there's another way to find the 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 meaning come through following Jesus as our Shepherd, rather than following the world around us.
Take some time to think about the way you’re searching for fulfillment and meaning in your life. Are you finding it through material possessions, relationships, or success? 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, because abundant life can only be found in Jesus.
“And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, and said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? When they which ...