Wednesday, April 22, 2020

What 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

Take a second and think about what life to the fullest would look like to you.

Now, think about a movie plot that makes you feel alive (stay with me here, we will bring it all back together). I'm sure there was some drama involved. Probably a villain, some obstacles to overcome, some insurmountable odds. Maybe there was a triumph then a reversal but the hero won in the end. yay. Without the ups and downs, without the drama, there would be no life. Who wants to go to a movie where there is no controversy, no climax or anticlimax.



A hero, sees a damsel in distress, but she is in a tower guarded by a dragon. He hires an army of mercenaries to kill the dragon, it takes about an hour and the dragon dies easily. Hero tries to find where the damsel is being secretly held captive but cannot find her. After 5 minutes of searching, he finds a map on the ground. He opens the door to where the princess is being held but a host of demons approaches him, he tells a witty joke and the demon lord laughs, and they had the princess over. They almost live happily ever after but the princess is not a pretty as hero had hoped so they schedule her for immediate plastic surgery which takes only an hour and the hero realized he had to loose some weight, which he did and two hours after the rescue they were married, only to then, live happily ever after......YAWN.

THAT IS NOT LIFE.

Back to life to the fullest. A great life has to be lived, experienced. There has to be trials, bad guys, let downs and challenges. There also has to be wins, loses, is understandings, trial, error and lots of drama. We want to live our lives with no drama but it is preposterous to think it can be done. We don't really like the ups and downs but prefer smooth sailing. Life is lived in rythym, specifically in ups and downs. Think about brainwaves and heart beats the flex and relax, they build up and then let go. A healthy EGK has ups and downs but a straight line is actually death. 

WHY DID THE MAN CLIMB THE MOUNTAIN? BECAUSE IT WAS THERE.
The real question is why did he jump off wearing a wingsuit?



We must embrace the highs and lows. Knowing this should change our expectations. We need to embrace the entire journey, not just what we think are the highlights. Life to the fullest is challenge, risk, triumph, losing, adapting, winning, and persevering. Keep in the game, readjust, reflect, replenish and stay in the moment. 

KEEPING FRESH WILL HELP WAY MORE THAN YOU THINK.

It is important to keep full, fresh, replenished. Embrace the challenges, the drama, in them you will find life. Make sure your soul is healthy and cared for. Get a hobby, find a friend, do a puzzle, read a book, meditate, do yoga, sudoku, crosswords, pray. Care for your soul

I've heard it said, The bigger the cross the bigger the crown. The Apostle James says it like this. 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Live life, live replenished, 

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