A Magnolia's Heart Beats

Thankful Thursday - Life

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” ~ John 3:16-17 (ESV - emphasis Iris')

This week's theme is life. Like Iris, our hostess of Thankful Thursday, I have been thinking about life as well this week.

As my parents age (my father is 75, and his brother and sister, all that are left out of 9 children who have died within the last 17 years), I'm just reminded that life on earth is fleeting. Whether our parents live forever or we lose a friend in the prime of life, or, even a child, I'm just reminded that life is short.

Compared to eternity, our physical lives, length-wise, are like a speck of dust.

I ask myself if what I'm doing counts for eternity. Am I faithful in the small things? Am I faithful in the large things? Am I faithful, period?

I tend to over-analyze myself, thinking I should have done better at this and I could have done more here...but that's not the kind of life God wants us to lead. When He sent Christ into the world, He sent Him to love us, not condemn us. He's not like some tall task-master, ready to use the rod each time we fail. He draws us back lovingly and gives us a second, third, tenth chance. He does want us to be mindful of the lives we lead, but He came into this world to save us, not condemn us. He wants us all to come to Him.

When I think of how Christ willingly gave His life for me, I want to fall flat on my face and ask, "Why? Why me? What about me is worth the death of Your Son, precious Father?" And I am reminded...

"For God so loved the world..."

I'm humbled.

I love my life here on earth. Yes, I have my "issues", but overall, I love my life. I'm so happy and feel so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. I am comfortable. I'm a wife, bonus mom, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, etc. I am really happy with my life!

As happy as I am with my life here on earth, I can hardly imagine how blissful eternal life wil be.

Look at the definitions of eternal life with me.

Eternal - the Greek word is aiōnios, and means:

1) without beginning and end, that which always has been and always will be
2) without beginning
3) without end, never to cease, everlasting

Life - the Greek word is zōē, and means:

1) life
a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate
b) every living soul
2) life
a) of the absolute fulness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic "logos" and to Christ in whom the "logos" put on human nature
b) life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.

Can you imagine?!?

Never-ending total fullness of a happy life!

Kind of makes the things on earth grow dim, doesn't it?

I think about the comforts I have here on earth, and I am reminded that this world is not my home.

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." ~ Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

As much as I love my home, I look so forward to the home Christ is making for me now. I am not afraid to leave my physical life on earth to go to Heaven and spend eternity with Christ. Yes, I am concerned about the actual dying part, I hope it isn't painful, but the "after" is covered!

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." ~ John 14:1-3 (NIV)

Thinking about life, both physical and spiritual, leaves me thankful, humbled, hopeful and excited!

So this week, I'm thankful for life. The life I have and the life I am promised by God through His Son Christ Jesus my Lord.

L - Live your life on earth as you intend to live it in Heaven. "The highway of the upright avoids evil; he who guards his way guards his life." ~ Proverbs 16:17 (NIV)

I - Instruct others regarding the Good News. "He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." ~ Mark 16:15 (NIV)

F - Feast on the Word of God. "Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." ~ Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

E - Eagerly anticipate eternal life. "But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope." ~ Galatians 5:5 (NIV)

For more Thankful Thursday's, please visit Iris at Grace Alone... by clicking on the button below.