Monday, June 22, 2015

What Life Is

Without ever meaning to, I began to believe a lie.

I believed that my life consisted of the little moments. Which sounds good, right? It sounds like a popular quote, something you'd see on a plaque or on pintrest. And it seemed to fit with my experience. The things I tend to cherish the most are hikes with friends, visiting a favorite coffee shop, or learning a new skill. Identifiable points in time that add up to a happy "life."

I believed life was something I was supposed to build and compile. Like a garden, I was supposed to plant the good things and weed out the unhappiness and struggles.

I don't think I fully realized what I believed and how I was acting. But things began to make more sense as I read God's Word.

My life is not here.

"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. "

 Colossians 3:1-3

It made me pause when I read it. My life is hid? It's with Christ? Then another passage came to mind.

"And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."
John 17:3

Again, this passage describes life as something not on this earth. While I do have a "life" here on earth in one sense, in the truest sense my life is my relationship with God. He is my sustainer and fulfiller. He is the One Who gives me breath, existence, and purpose.

With this understanding, I'm finding that the only way to evaluate life is to measure the depth of my walk with God. If I'm having the happiest earthly life--full of all the things I love--but I'm not praying, reading the Bible, walking with God, then I'm not living much of a life. If on the other hand things aren't going well--if I struggle financially or I fall short of my goals or I fail in a career--but I'm close to God, then my life is a full one.

As hard as it is, in each joy or struggle of my earthly life, I have to remember that this is not my life.

My life is hid with Christ in God. 




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