"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full." John 10:10
Life to the full!!! Aaaah I love it :)
In this verse, Jesus is talking to the Pharisees, explaining that He is the only way to life.
Walking with Jesus is still the only way to life.
I have learned that God calls us on a great adventure with Him. To follow His leading....and when we are really all in, it's like we can't help but follow His voice. We do it because we know, with every fibre of our being, that if He is in it, it is good. And though it may be hard, it is the only way to experience true life.
Every Wednesday I get to hang out with a group of grade six girls at youth group, listening in on their hearts, and just walking alongside them. ( And listening to their crazy shrieks of excitement...man do 11 year old girls have some energy!!) Tonight was our Christmas worship celebration, and one of the grade six girlies just wasn't feeling it. She was tired , worn down, and not feeling great. I've been there. She even "dragged" me out of the worship in the middle of hearing Karl's message , a very animated telling of the Christmas story that had me uber excited, to call home. Uhh!
I mean I know this sweet little girl loves Jesus, so why wouldn't she want to stay in and worship through her exhaustion? I will admit...I was selfishly...a bit disappointed.
After an unsuccessful call home however, we made it back up to the youth worship room, and settled back into our seats. I assured her it would be fine if she sat and rested while we sang the last few songs, and she looked relieved.
So you can imagine my surprise, when a few seconds later, as the youth band started playing the first chords of Silent Night, she jumped out of her seat and threw her hands in the air..."This is my favourite song in the whole world !! " she declared, and passionately sang for the next several minutes, hands raised in worship, just letting go!! I love that the Holy Spirit can revive and inspire us like that, in a single moment.
For me tonight, that was life to the full.
In my life before I knew Christ, I never in a million years would have thought that I'd be in a youth room on a Wednesday night in December, with about 200 youth and leaders who I never other wise would have had the opportunity to know, singing passionately to the Lord, rejoicing over the birth of His son...who would grow up to be the saviour of the world.
So for me, tonight, that tiny moment of pure joy from a little girl, that was life to the full.
Thankful.