Life

But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. ~ John 20:31

Why is it that the gospel writer of John wants us to read his text? What is it he desires for us? To believe in Jesus, yes. But why?

So we may have life in his name.

He wants us to live. Jesus wants us to live. To live fully. Deeply. Abundantly.

The life of faith isn't about an evacuation plan to get us to heaven when we die. Over and over Jesus tells us that the Kingdom of Heaven (or Kingdom of God) is at hand.

It is now. And he wants us to live in it. Fully, Deeply. Abundantly. Now.

Are you alive? Besides your heart still beating and your brain still thinking?

Are you fully alive? Is the life that is offered to you one you are grasping at with both hands - ready for the ride God wants to take you on?

Are you feeling all the highs and lows and bumps and glories and loves and hopes and dreams that make up a full life?

The blessing of life is offered to us now. And how can we live it? Jesus gives us clues along his journey.

To love God and in that love of God, love our neighbor as ourself. To live like the father in the story of the prodigal son: arms outstretched, generosity and grace pouring out from us.

Loving deeply and taking it all in. Being in the moment. Not wishing it away.

I admit it isn't always easy. I fall into the trap of not living many times. Still.

But the invitation is there, beckoning us to grab on tightly for the ride of a lifetime.

Help me to live fully and deeply, Lord, cherishing each moment of the gift of this life. Help me to live it in love and forgiveness and hope. Amen