Hey what’s going on everyone!! So, a couple days ago, I was reading in the book of John, and Jesus said something that I didn’t quite understand right away. He says, ““Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). When I read this, I was like: what the heck is He saying?? Am I supposed to dislike my life and just be bored? I feel like a lot of us have this question.
Simply put, the answer is no. Jesus wants us to enjoy life, because enjoying God looks like enjoying the gifts and the life He has created us into. What Jesus is saying in this passage, is that if we are more concerned with finding satisfaction in this life and temporary things, then we will lose it. That means that when we set our identities in things of this life, then that’s all the satisfaction we will get. On the other end, if we set our gaze on Jesus, then our joy will be eternal because we have so much more to look forward to even after we die. That’s extremely comforting because in order to have peace in this life, I need something to sustain me through the hard times and even the good times, and my shoe collection or playing basketball cannot do that.
I’m convinced that we experience peace and strength the more that we spend time with God and experience the gravity of how much He loves us and wants us to grow. When we delve more into the world and its temporary pleasures, we are left searching for more satisfaction. Whatever you set your mind on, and whatever you give your attention to, results and fruit will always show.
We are called to take up our crosses, meaning our selfish desires, and follow Jesus because He created us and desires us to be at our best so that we can get others to enjoy Christ as well. Being saved from hell isn’t enough. One of the main reasons for our existence is to experience God, and then turn around and share the experience we live every day with. Don’t settle for the temporary satisfaction. Instead, find fulfilling life with Jesus.
Much Love,
Ryan W.
