Thoughts on Life - Part 1

My thoughts on this fleeting life that we all enjoy. (Warning: This is slightly long.) Please share your thoughts as well.

1) We were all created by an almighty, all knowing, all present God

2) Each of us is a soul contained within a body

3) When we leave this Earth we will take nothing with us, just as we brought nothing

4) The almighty God that created us loves each one of us; those that know Him and those that don't.

5) He created us to have a real relationship with Him. A relationship that is more fulfilling than anything we could find on this Earth.

6) We have the freewill to choose whether or not to have this relationship. God will not force us because God is love and love does not force.

7) Deciding to have a relationship with God is easy! We are the ones who make it complicated.

7 (Expanded) All we need to do is admit (i.e. verbally say) that we are a sinner, which means we do things God's Word (The Bible) says are not right (i.e. lying, stealing, being selfish, conceited, or boastful; not serving others, being lazy or proud, and the list goes on) It's not that God wants us to live in a box, the opposite is actually true. He wants us to be free from the bondage that sin places on us (more about this to come in Part 2 ).

So to help us be free, God allowed His one Son to come to Earth to show us what it was like to truly love someone. Jesus did this His whole life and especially during the last three years. God then allowed his Son to die, showing the ultimate example of love – laying your life down for someone (more about his in Part 2 also).

So, back to making the decision to have a relationship with God. It’s about admitting need, admitting that you can’t do this world alone. Sure you may be able to survive but you won’t thrive – and who just wants to survive? Don’t we all really want to thrive?

God created this universe so He knows every stroke, He knows above anyone else how things flow. Ever feel like all the decks are stacked against you? Like you’re not going with the flow? Like you’re struggling to go up hill while everyone else is gently coasting down? Like the universe is out to get you? Perhaps it’s because you aren’t in touch with the Creator, the Great Road Map of the World. Having a relationship with God allows you to know which way the strokes go, how the current flows, where the mountains are. Trust me, it’s amazing! It’s like unlocking the key to the universe – or learning the code to the encryption, knowing the secret language. And the great thing is that God is a lousy secret holder! He’ll give the password to anyone that asks! That’s how loving He is and how passionate He is about us experiencing FREEDOM!

So, back to the decision (again). We have to verbally admit that we’re sinners, that we need him. We also have to admit that Jesus died for our sins. As God’s Word, The Bible, says, God required pure blood (a life) as an ultimate sacrifice. He sent Jesus to be that sacrifice for our sins. (No, I don’t fully comprehend all this – but I choose to believe anyway. More about believing versus understanding in a bit.)

When we admit that we are sinners and that Jesus Christ died for our sins, there’s just one more step – accepting Jesus as your savior. That’s saying – I need saving, I can’t do it myself, and I choose Jesus. Picture yourself drowning in the middle of a crushing river. Everything you’ve tried in order to save yourself has failed. You know the end must be near….you’re giving up. Then you see, on the bank of the river, a group of people holding signs that say: “I’ll save you.” Each person is wearing a name tag: Drugs, Sex, Work, Alcohol, Money, Friends, Family, and Jesus; they’re all there.

You could take the time pick through them all, to let them all have a chance to save you – but consider this, you’re drowning! The only one that can truly save you is Jesus. Sure the others may throw you a life ring that will keep you floating for a while – but eventually it too will fail. You know that don’t you? You know because you’ve tried them before, I’ve tried them before – we all have. That’s what is important to know. The main difference between those that have made the choice versus those that haven’t is simply that – we’ve made the choice to accept Jesus as our savior and to believe. We no longer depend on the undependable. The drugs, work, money, even our family….all of them will fail us eventually – but not Jesus – never.

We were all drowning just like you at one time in our life. Then, we hit rock bottom. Bottom may look different for everyone but it’s still bottom nonetheless. And that’s when we looked up through the raging river and saw on the bank the man named Jesus. Still standing there, all the others had left, had given up – but not Jesus, he NEVER gives up, He’ll never leave us, He’s always there waiting, just hoping you’ll reach out your hand and call His name so He can rescue you, so He can wrap His arms around you – you who are so precious to Him. You’re 47 years old? He’s been waiting 47 years and he’ll continue to wait. You’re 93? 93 years He’s been waiting. As long as you’re alive it’s never too late to make the choice, to accept Jesus as your savior and to experience the Freedom that awaits you.

Now let’s talk about believing versus understanding. Some folks reading this will say, I can’t believe in that because I don’t understand it. Why would God this? Why would God that? I don’t know how this works; I need more details, more facts. I need proof. Really?

Do you believe in shuttles going to space? Do you know all the details of how it works? Do you believe in computers? Could you create one yourself? Do you believe in electricity? Did you invent the light bulb? What about cell phones? Do you know all the logistics behind those? Get my point? I know a big difference between those examples and the God of this universe is that we can’t see God and yet….we can! As I write this, the birds outside are singing- that’s God. He made those. My sweet pup is laying at my fee t – again God made her. The sun is shining – God. Trees are swaying in the wind – God. Another great example: we believe in the wind but we can’t see it. We see the effect of the wind but not the wind itself. It’s the same with God – even though we can’t see Him, we can see the effects of God all around us – a new baby, a blooming flower, a majestic mountain, the endless ocean.

I know many people will also say – there can’t possibly be a God or if there is He can’t possibly be the loving God I speak of when so many bad things happen. You’re right that’s something I can’t explain and I don’t understand but, I choose to believe anyway. I choose to believe in something good rather than something bad. It’s my choice. It’s your choice.

My prayer (my hope) is that we will all choose to believe in a love undeniable. A love that will never judge us, never criticize us, never leave us. A love that covers over all wrongs and softens all hurts. A love that is the love of the creator of this world we live in. The undeniable love of God, shown to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. - AMEN