Enjoy a Full Life Today

I remember when I got sheepskin winter boots in middle school. That might not seem significant, but they weren’t just any winter boots. Everyone at school seemed to have them. When you got them, it was like you joined a club. My mom knew how badly I wanted a pair of these boots, and she found a less expensive, off-brand version for me. I couldn’t wait to wear them. Once I had those boots, it felt like my life could begin again.

How often do we want something so badly that we believe our lives are on hold until we have it? When we are so focused on wishing we had something we don’t have, we can easily miss what’s right in front of us. This causes us to miss opportunities to enjoy what we do have.

I wish I had known back then that my life wasn’t on hold without those boots. And my life wasn’t made complete when I got them either. I would have been fine even if I never got a pair. God wants us to enjoy a full life today, no matter where we’re at—it’s His gift! In John 10:10, Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say, “They may have life, and have it to the full…when they ace their social studies test,” or “…once the person they’ve been crushing on finally notices them” or “…when they score the most goals on the soccer team.” Instead, Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” PERIOD. There is no disclaimer. I believe one of the chief ways the enemy tries to steal, kill, and destroy is through making us believe God is holding out on us, but it’s not true!

God loved us so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, so that we could have life (John 3:16; 17:3). Only He can fill our deepest needs and desires. But, because our world has been broken by sin, we look to so many other things to fill us. In John 10, Jesus says that He gives fullness of life to His followers in an unexpected way: by laying down His own life for theirs. Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and He rose again so that we could enjoy life-giving relationship with God. To everyone who puts their trust in Jesus, God gives a full life today. • Emily Rondello

• Have you ever felt like your life wouldn’t be complete until something changed or you got something you wanted?

• What is one good gift God has given you? Consider taking a moment to thank Him for this!

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10 (NIV)

Read Verses:

John 3:16; John 10:1-John 10:18; John 17:3