Tsunami Devotional by Steve Keaton
Monday, November 2nd, 2009
Title: Live It Up!
Text: John 10:10 (NIV)
The thief comes only to steal & kill & destroy; I have come that they may have life, & have it to the full.
I don’t know about you, but it seems like from time to time when I meet someone new and they find out that I am a Christian they tend to become a bit more reserved and careful about what they say and how they act. I usually try to make sure that they understand that I’m just a regular guy. That being a Christ-Follower doesn’t mean that I don’t laugh and cut up. It doesn’t mean that I don’t get a bit wild and crazy from time to time. It doesn’t mean that I sit around all day singing “Kumbaya” and reciting ancient prayers. But nevertheless, it usually takes that person a few times of interacting with me to finally make the connection that being Christian doesn’t mean being boring. Think about the example set for us by Jesus. Are you seriously thinking that Jesus, who lived with a group of 12 guys for 3 years, didn’t experience some times of getting a bit wild? Can you, without a shadow of a doubt, tell me that Jesus didn’t like to have a good time and live life out loud? I mean, his very first miracle was done at a wedding party.
So, what does all of this mean for you and me? It doesn’t mean we should start attending every party we can find and then chalking it up to “Being like Jesus”. I’m just trying to say that we have been given a very special opportunity to experience the blessings of a life with Christ. And hear me when I say this. A life in Christ will take us on adventures that we never thought possible. So we should be passionate about this life and allow our love of our creator to overflow out of us and watch the joy associated with that life flow from us to everyone we encounter each day. We tend to have no problem getting wild and crazy about our favorite ball team, celebrity or possession. However, when it comes to living all out for God, we usually back it down a few notches and say that we don’t want to be too loud about it because we may turn someone off. That’s a little crazy if you ask me.
Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John that he came so that we may have a full and amazing life. That certainly means that those of us who put our faith and trust in Christ as our personal Lord and Savior will receive an everlasting life in paradise with Jesus. But I can’t help but also believe that it means the lives we have here on this earth should passionately express our love of God in a way that in contagious and draws the least, the last and the lost closer to us and eventually into the life-changing, unconditionally loving relationship with God.
Sure, there is a time to be serious and reverent and muted. But there is also a time to experience all that this amazing life in Christ has to offer. We have been given the priceless gift of Grace, and all I know is if that gift is as special as we truly think it is, it should be displayed for all to see. So join me in living it up!
Something to Think About:
- · How passionately do you live your life for Christ?
- · Are others attracted by the passionate way you live as a Christ-Follower?
- · In what ways has your “Living it Up” reached others for God?
- · In what ways could you more passionately live your life for Christ?
A Few Minutes with God:
God, I praise your name and I thank you for this amazing life you have given me. Life may not always be smooth or comfortable, but I do know that a life following you is something that should be celebrated, embraced and lived to the fullest. I pray that you will stir in me a desire to live in such a way that others who are seeking something more authentic and loving out of life will dive into a relationship with you. A relationship that will change them for all eternity. I love you God. Amen.
