The Opportunity of Youth

Youth is an awesome thing. It’s like the opening paragraph of a book- it will often determine how great the following pages will be. It gives us a foundation to build the rest of our lives upon. It is a blank page that we will undoubtedly mar and scuff throughout our journey, but the unmarked canvas of youth generates a hope that drives us into the arms of our Father.

I am referring to myself as well. I am blessed to still be a spring chicken. I have a lot of life to live (God willing), and I know that anyone that has been around will tell me that life will go by in the blink of an eye. I’m not talking about being blessed because of how much life I have to live, but because I feel as though I’m at a critical point in the journey that allows my actions and decisions to greatly shape how my life will look in the eyes of my God when I stand before Him in the end.

Lately at church we have been going in depth about living the life of a disciple and not just a believer. A disciple will gain eternal rewards in heaven, while someone who places his faith in Christ will certainly go to heaven, they will not inherit these rewards (1 Corinthians 3:15). The significance of pursuing the life of a disciple in my youth aids me in getting off on the proverbial right foot. To start trusting Him from the beginning that He will “make known to me the path of life.” (Psalm 16:11) The abundant life; the suffering life; the life of a disciple- so that I may know and love the path that my Lord has blazed as I age.

On this path however, there are multitudes of distractions: The World Series, NBA, Video Games, Nerdy Sci-Fi books, and the rest. Let alone the land mines that Satan has expertly set up along the way: lust, pride, anger, and Lord knows what else I’m in danger of.

Because life is so intensely surrounded by these pitfalls, we must fix our eyes on Christ… and it is here that we will be in His presence “where there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). A joy that we can cling to- to keep us from drifting into the distractions and minefields of sin that tear us from the abundant life, strategically organized by our enemy to prevent us from running the race set before us.

The path of the disciple enables us to deny the self, take up our cross, and follow Jesus… but it is not easy… the path that follows Jesus is the path that leads to Calvary. But it is the path saves us from a wasted life.

I want to live in such a way that those on earth will say I lived a worthless excuse of a life. I want them to say I was idiotic in how I threw my money away to help others, that I exhausted all of my resources to win a few to my ‘faith.’

I want them to scoff at how I wept with pride when I sent a child to the dangers of the mission field, or how I starved myself to help feed the hungry around me, or how foolish I was to fast and pray for my master to change the hearts of those that so adamantly denied Him. I want it to look like I absolutely lost my life (Matthew 16:24-27)… So that when I stand before my king at the judgment seat I will have more to show him than a multi-million dollar corporation, or earthly mansions destined to crumble in the years to come, or a successful stock portfolio.

I want to live in such a way to show him that even from youth I murdered my version of life, took up my cross, multiplied my talents, was faithful with my minas, and was called a friend of Jesus.

That when I reach the Judgment Seat of Christ, I can look at the warmth in his face, without being ashamed of how I lived my life and joyfully listen as he says, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” And attain those pleasures that are at his right hand forevermore (Psalm 16:11)

God, may we have a life characterized by our path to Calvary. And may we start the path in our youth and remain there till the bitter end till we are with you in paradise. Let us waste our lives for you.

DRINK FREELY

DRINK FREELY

On his way to Galilee, Jesus had to stop in Samaria in a town called Sychar and took a breather at the well of Jacob because he was exhausted.

While he was kneeling over at the well and dusting himself off, a woman from the town came to draw water from the well.

Jesus asked, “Do you mind if I take a swig of your water?” Jesus’ disciples went to go get some food.

The Samaritan woman was stunned: “You are a Jew! Why are you asking me for a drink of water?” She said this because Jews and Samaritans DID NOT mix.

Jesus with a innocent smile on his face looked at her and said: “If you knew the gift of God, as well as knowing who I am, you would ask me for water, and I would give it to you if you are committed enough. If you deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me, I’ll give you water that wells up to eternal life.”

…………………………………

This is obviously not what Jesus says. Jesus says: “If you knew the gift of God, (Eternal Life) and who it is that is saying to you (The Messiah), you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water (Eternal Life).”

Eternal Life is a gift, and not something that can be earned.

Eternal Life is not something you prove you have by your works.

We are saved from hell by faith alone in Christ alone.

Jesus made his conditional statements such as the one before as a call to discipleship. A call to discipleship is not the same as being a believer. Eternal life requires one thing: faith (John 3:16).

Rejoice! The living water that God offers is offered freely and is completely independent of how you perform.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.

(Revelation 22:17 ESV)