WAS I REALLY LIVING?

I have had a happy life and a fairly successful one. But thinking back, I wonder how much was enjoying the ride versus really living. What do I mean by ‘really living’? I guess I wouldn’t have known how to answer this a few years ago, or even suspect that it was something that needed consideration. After I accepted our wonderful Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, my life changed markedly. Not a crashing change at first, but the change gained momentum day by day. It sort of crept up on me. I knew this would happen after beginning serious study of the Bible, but still, it was an experience that I could not have described ahead of time.

Today when I feel the presence of our Lord in my life after arising in the morning, and then from time to time throughout the day, I do stop and marvel that He takes the time to let me know in some way. I realize I am not any more special to Him than others, and His love is there for the taking by anyone. What a wonderful feeling!  It cannot be compared to anything, but if we can remember back when something exciting and wonderful happened in our life, there could be some similarity. It is like the enjoyment of cold water when we have been perspiring outside on a hot day. It is like the taste of our favorite ice cream or delicious food. But these lovely minor happenings only touch on the indescribable swelling up of the feeling of love for our Lord.

Those who have not come to really know our Lord likely have no idea of what I am talking about. And as I said, I wouldn’t have known either.  Often we mistake entertainment and fun for real living. I have continued to enjoy many of these happenings but they take a backseat to the thrill I get in just praying to our Lord and thinking about Him. Perhaps it about time for non-believers to scoff and laugh at such silly ideas. Just remember the old advice - “Don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it!”

Perhaps the sad part in my life was that I didn’t even know what I was missing. Although I thanked God most every night for our good life and good health, that was the extent of my devotional. A shock was required to make me realize that my life had to change. This event has been written about before. Until then I just went along doing the best I could and living for enjoyment while at times helping others when their needs were thrust in my face. Mainly I was a preview of the “ME Generation”. My aspirations were all about what would be good for me. Of course I thought seriously about my family, but they often came second. I was on a long course of building a career leading to wealth.

This was fulfilling, but whenever there was a temporary impediment, I didn’t think I had anywhere to turn except to scramble on my own. My wife and family always offered support in every way, and I appreciated and needed this. Where was God? I found much later that He was there all the time and overcame hurdles for me that could have killed future plans. If not for Him, I could have achieved little. Mind you, I did not realize this until long after so now that is one of the important things for which I regularly thank our loving Lord.

From what I read and have learned, many people feel much like I did before really discovering Jesus in my life. So if you happen to be one of these, I urge you to take a shot at seeing what our Lord can do in your life. I guarantee you will be amazed and almost overwhelmed by His power and desire to help you. As the song “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling” goes, ‘Jesus is waiting and watching for you, watching for you and for me. Come home, come home, you who are sinners, come home.’

Again I have to stop and consider what some may be thinking. “I am not sinning; I am doing good, and perhaps even going to church.” Yes you are sinning, if it is only that you regard anyone or anything as more important than your love for our Lord. Also we, myself included, continue to commit little acts that are not pleasing to God. Jesus was the only person who has never sinned. Until we become as pure as Christ, we will continue to sin in some way. And of course becoming this pure is impossible for us. But we can be purified and be acceptable to Christ by simply committing to Him as our Lord and Savior. An incredibly simple step, but Oh so important! This will bring you to a life forever with Him. Nothing else will do this.

Even the most enjoyable trip we ever had was a letdown as it ended. Then we would look forward to being home. The adventures with Christ never end, and there is never a letdown. He continues to bring enjoyment day by day and year by year. Of course not everything that happens in our lives is pure joy. In this world of evil there is bound to be occurrences that interfere with this pure happiness. But our precious Lord helps us cope and bear these situations, no matter how bad they get.