“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live. Everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die,” John 11:25-26.
Do you believe this? Maybe you feel you have the best life you could ever ask for—a wonderful husband or wife, great career, beautiful, healthy children, a nice home, and plenty of money. Wow, you’ve got it made! You have made all the right choices to live a comfortable life. You did it. But where is the Lord Jesus Christ in this comfortable life?
Many spend their entire lives focusing on their own will and ways of life. Instead they should be preparing and investing in their eternal dwelling place. Paul describes these people as just escaping the fire at the judgment seat of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:15). When God tests their works, they will be found lacking. They will not enter into heaven because none of their works are rewarded. They were all temporary. They have spent their lives building their owns instead of their eternal homes (Matthew 6:19-21).
Only what you do for Christ shall last. In John 6:35 Jesus said: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
I was the daughter of two very caring and loving parents who believed tour family should serve the Lord. My mother and father were choir members in the church. I can remember hearing my two brothers singing gospel music, with my father singing and playing the guitar while my three sisters, mother, and I prepared for Sunday dinner on Saturday evenings. My five siblings and I had to get up early for Sunday school. The sweet smell of Sunday morning breakfast would wake us up with thanksgiving in our hearts. Those were the good-old days. The Lord created these days for my family, so that we would rejoice and be glad in it. That’s living the good life.
Five decades later, I’m living a life without a mother, a father, and two of my siblings. How can we continue to live the good life through difficulties and unexpected circumstances? As we mature spiritually and physically, all of us have weathered many changes—changes in our plans, hopes, goals, and dreams. Change can sometime leave us feeling shameful, insecure, or disappointed. Each experience is an opportunity to deepen our faith in Christ and grow in a stronger relationship with God. As we learn to lean and depend on Him for all things, God has promised to guide and direct us in every situation, through every transition and in every season of life.
The life which I now live in the Spirit, I live by faith in the Son of God who loves me. Galatians 20:20 says: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me, and gave Himself for me.” This, my friend, is living the good life.
Today, the blessings of the Lord are upon me. I have one a God-given, loving daughter, two handsome grandsons and a beautiful granddaughter. God is good. Life is good. Our family, as a whole, no matter the situations and challenges we face, will enjoy living the good life in Christ Jesus. So can you.
