The Good Life
The Good Life
As you read the title, what came to mind to you? How would you describe “the Good Life”? Does it vary from person to person? Are you living the good life?
The good life involves other people. Who are the people in your sphere that support, encourage and revitalize you? Who are the people for whom you provide that support, encourage and revitalization?
Maybe this will help: If you could take a year off with all expenses paid, what would you do? Where would you be?
As you read the title, what came to mind to you? How would you describe “the Good Life”? Does it vary from person to person? Are you living the good life?
The good life involves other people. Who are the people in your sphere that support, encourage and revitalize you? Who are the people for whom you provide that support, encourage and revitalization?
Maybe this will help: If you could take a year off with all expenses paid, what would you do? Where would you be?
Consider this passage from the Bible:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10,11
There are four important takeaways from this passage:
Don’t view these takeaways separately but view them as a whole package provided to you through Jesus. He loves you, He’s vitally interested in your wellbeing and future, He protects you from those things that might harm you, He invites you into a full and meaningful future with Him.
Jesus also welcomes us into relationship with the people around us. Jesus was invited to speak in the local synagogue once. He turned to a scripture reading from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1,2)
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. They were no doubt waiting for Him to comment on what He had just read. He was probably waiting until He had everyone’s attention. Then He spoke: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (you can read this account in Luke 4:18-21)
He announces the great news of what He is about to do! He is about to set us free from the sin that distracts us and weighs us down. He is restoring the relationship between God and His people. He is making available to us the abundant life now (on a limited scale) and eternally in His presence. But we have the promise right now!
4832 Ponderings:
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:10,11
There are four important takeaways from this passage:
- There is a thief that wants to steal your joy, your time and energy. It may be a person (maybe even you!?), a situation, or even the devil himself.
- God’s desire is for you to have a full, and abundant life. But notice, it is according to His definition, not yours! Did you just see your “happy list” start to fade away?
- Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. He wants to watch over us, guide us, protect us, and lead us.
- Jesus is the one who made all this possible, when He willingly laid down His life for us.
Don’t view these takeaways separately but view them as a whole package provided to you through Jesus. He loves you, He’s vitally interested in your wellbeing and future, He protects you from those things that might harm you, He invites you into a full and meaningful future with Him.
Jesus also welcomes us into relationship with the people around us. Jesus was invited to speak in the local synagogue once. He turned to a scripture reading from the Old Testament prophet Isaiah:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1,2)
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him. They were no doubt waiting for Him to comment on what He had just read. He was probably waiting until He had everyone’s attention. Then He spoke: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (you can read this account in Luke 4:18-21)
He announces the great news of what He is about to do! He is about to set us free from the sin that distracts us and weighs us down. He is restoring the relationship between God and His people. He is making available to us the abundant life now (on a limited scale) and eternally in His presence. But we have the promise right now!
4832 Ponderings:
- What are the things that weigh you down, distract you from what you know to be important?
- Who is in your sphere that can come alongside you to work out some of these challenges?
- Who can you ask to be praying for you? (note: 4832 Truth would consider it an honor to lift up your prayer requests).
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