Living the Dream
One of the sarcastic comments I often hear at work comes as a response to the over-asked question of “How’s it going?” The response? “I’m living the dream.” Of course the tone of voice and inflection clearly communicate that the statement was completely tongue-in-cheek and the truth of the matter is their life is rather mundane, monotonous and lack-luster.
Daily living in the world with its mind-numbing routine of predictable procedure and schedule has a tendency to discourage, dishearten and bring to despair even the most optimistic of persons. Even when we see others who we think are “living the dream”, it isn’t long until we hear or see otherwise as their lives are disrupted by scandal or violence and broadcast for all to observe through the ever present media of our culture. Really “living” life to its fullest seems to be an elusive joke dangled just out of reach as it keeps us pursuing an empty idea that cannot truly be achieved.
Into this dismal reality breaks the words of Jesus as He confidently declares;
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
How can this be when we are immersed in a flood of broken promises and dreams that seems to carry us farther away from what we instinctively wish and hope for all our life? Even Christians at times give in to the overwhelming nature of despair and hopelessness that dominates the landscape everywhere you look. Yet Jesus, in the midst of this empty futility the world calls existence, breaks the chains of discouragement by lifting our heads and speaking of a life that only He can fully comprehend.
The life God gives us is not reserved solely for a heavenly future! He makes it abundantly clear that His life can be tasted and experienced now as He lives in us. He teaches us what it truly is to live His life.
The world’s poor definition of what it means to be alive fails miserably at fulfilling our desperate heart’s cry, while the incredible truth of Jesus’ resurrection stirs a hope deep inside that there must be more to living. When we give our life to Jesus, He opens the way for us to “live the dream” that brings meaning and joy to our life now as we learn from Him what real life is like!
How exciting to be His people,
Pastor David Vanderpool
