After cleaning a particularly dusty mini-blind and the window behind it, I decided to leave the blind rolled up as I continued cleaning further into the room. It’s a little thing, but it always amazes me the difference this makes. When a curtain is pulled back, a blind up, or a window is opened that is usually closed, the lighting is newly heightened, the view unique, the whole room feels new!
As I cleaned, I kept being pleasantly startled by the yellow splotches appearing on the canvas of late September trees out the window. Fall is upon us, friends! It’s right on time, appearing in the cool of the breeze and the warm colors of those leaves getting ready for retirement.
I wasn’t just thinking of fall leaves, though… That morning I had been reading from the gospel of John, chapter 6, when verse 47 jumped out at me! Lean in and listen, if you will, to what Jesus says here:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life.”
Did you catch that? As I had sat there with my Bible, my mind started wrapping itself around the fullness of what this means. I paused to soak in the confident assurance this concise, 14-word statement holds as a precious promise presented by the Son of the Most High God!
For, though the seasons are a perfect metaphor for how our lives are constantly changing, God remains unchanging through it all. Seedtime and harvest, He is there, unwaveringly mighty, faithfully upholding His children and keeping His Word, which is true forever.
That means, when Jesus, who came and gave us His eternal words says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life,” we can rest our hope and our very life upon it. I believe what Jesus says and I am so, so grateful for such a gift as His everlasting life!
As I cleaned, my mind and heart excitedly pondered what kind of life Jesus has given to us who believe on Him. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but rather just a few thoughts to start with!
- It is everlasting and eternal (starting here and now!). “The testimony is this, that God gave to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has the life. He who doesn’t have God’s Son doesn’t have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” (1 John 5:11-13)
- It is only through Him – “ As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father; so he who feeds on me, he will also live because of Me.” (John 6:57) “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” (John 14:6)
- It is fruitful – “Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in Me.” (John 15:4)
- It is found in knowing Him – “This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and Him whom You sent, Jesus Christ.” (John 17:3)
- And another theme I particularly dwelt on…it is also abundant – “The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Yes, life here on earth may be wrought with sorrow, pain, trouble, and difficulty (He told us about that, too!), but Jesus gives us abundant life. How is this possible? When we’re remaining in Him, walking with Him, living the way He modeled for us, with His help and presence, every circumstance is transformed into an opportunity for His joy and His peace to fill us because He is living within us and through us.
This abundant joy, peace, and fulfillment is not dependent on our external situations. We don’t have to “have it all together.” We don’t have to have a picture-perfect life, be in good health, have financial success…anything like that…to experience His peace and fulfillment. These can be blessings, but many times it’s actually through trials and in brokenness, when I have come to the end of myself, where this peace can be felt the sweetest. And His joy isn’t dependent upon our marital status, house, or accomplishments…nor is it extinguished when we are aged. It is found in Him, and in Him alone. And He never changes.
“You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)
What a blessing! What a relief from the striving of life! What a balm for the soul who is trying to be enough! I hope this cleaning-day pondering encourages you as it has encouraged me. Whatever life season you’re in, God is faithful, as He’s always been. And Jesus our Savior gives everlasting life – in abundance!
It’s your turn! What have you been pondering lately? Is there a particular verse burning on your heart right now? What are you looking forward to the most this fall?
Because of Jesus,
Maggie ♥
Leave a Reply