What shapes how you view life especially in light of John 10:10
‘Life’ is such a loaded word. It brings out all sorts of emotions – good and bad.
How do my experiences shape how I approach life?
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10
Reading the word ‘life’ makes me pause. I try to force myself to think of the positives that life brings, but automatically the worst experiences surface in my mind. Personal things, global issues – you won’t be stuck naming all the negatives that life on this planet may bring.
Life, at times, can come at us hard and fast, for good or otherwise. Again, left to myself, I would probably just focus more on the negatives about life: death, disease, sickness, tragedies and huge expenses.
But, as a Christian, I know that approach isn’t the one I have to take. I can intentionally meditate on the good aspects of life, for there are many. Life is a gift from God. I think about the birth of a newborn baby, family ties, nature, community, food, health and fellowship. I have found amazing aspects of life when I deliberately seek to focus on them.
What does the Bible teach about life?
The Bible refers to life consistently, and this makes sense. As Christians, we believe that life comes from God the Father to us all, so to find out more, going to God’s word is a great place to start. The Bible speaks of life here on earth and eternal life that is to come.
Jesus once said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’ Life through Jesus is one with hope both for now and for the future, meaning when my mind wants to go to all the negative parts of life, I can bring it back to focus on Jesus. I can remember the knowledge that life lived through him is not necessarily free from difficulty, but full of hope. I can remember that we have a God who can affect the course of our lives in a significant way because he created life itself. What I love about God is that he hasn’t called us to be ignorant of all the things I listed at the beginning which can bring pain and sadness, but he has called us to remain close to him during the difficulties as our comfort and guide.
Why John 10:10 offers such comfort
John 10:10 is a great example of Jesus warning us ahead of time that, yes, life has its challenges. Here, Jesus was interacting with the Pharisees and pointing out that their actions were more like the devil and not God the Father (John 8:44). We have an enemy who doesn’t want to see us live a life of hope and trust and security. It’s the enemy who longs to see us live a defeated life – and though that is his agenda, Jesus came to bring life to the full. A life full of peace, joy and abundance in him, both spiritually and of course physically. Jesus ultimately came to give us a life of salvation and assurance that he has us in his loving and faithful arms – come what may. This is a full life, both now and in the life to come. A life of salvation in him, because he knows all things and is before all things.
God knows what we have need of – Jesus specifically tells us in Matthew 6:31–32, ‘So do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” … your heavenly Father knows that you need them.’ This scripture reassures us that God will help us have a life with the necessities to thrive and operate on earth. In certain seasons we will have more than enough; in other seasons, just enough. And maybe at other times we will have less than enough – but in every season, I hope that we can remind ourselves that life is a gift from God, the one who made this life even possible. He knows our needs and will provide for me and those I am responsible for. Even better, God demonstrates that he is the author of the full and abundant life through his constant provision and physical blessings; he is the good shepherd who provides our material needs. Whatever you are going through right now, be it debt or money problems, illness or relationship worries – God is an active God. He cares and will make a way for you. God gently encourages us to take him at his word, ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’ (Ephesians 3:20). Our asking for him to come into our lives and solve a specific situation is not beyond our God and king. This revelation can fill us with confidence to approach the Lord via prayer for help, no matter the circumstance.
I hope that we can remind ourselves that life is a gift from God, the one who made this life even possible.
When I pray, I pray in faith, knowing that ‘God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:19). I’m learning to be fully confident in this word he left for us. It comforts me to know that God doesn’t merely want me to view Phillippians 4:19 as an endearing mantra or quote, but wants me to wholeheartedly believe it and put it to the test.
Finding peace in life
I’m also discovering that a life lived in God also links strongly with the peace that Jesus has promised to give all who choose to receive it. In John 14:27, he says, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
I see more and more that peace doesn’t mean a life devoid of issues, drama and disappointments, but that I can take on the position of peace or shalom come what may, by putting my trust in him who made this life possible. Through life’s storms it is by inviting Jesus in, that he can restore calm and order in my heart despite what is happening externally.
I want to list some powerful scriptures on life for you. It has helped me reorient my thoughts on this topic and realign my own definition, and experience to what God says about life. Though the enemy tries to steal, kill and destroy our lives, God has given us life to be lived to the full in him and in the family and communities he has graciously put us in.
I am learning to love life through the eyes of Jesus and not of my own. My prayer is that this short piece will help you do the same, choosing to embrace life in all its fullness by calling on the one who called us to life now and in the age to come. As Deuteronomy 30:19–20 states, ‘This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Let’s choose to live in him in the midst of the good and bad that life brings.
