July 30th, 2008
A Random Coupon Life
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
John 20:30-31
…by believing you may have life in his name. Do you feel like you are really living life? This week we are at Houghton Family Camp for Zerbe family vacation, and my nephew said something that not only made me laugh, but it made me think. We were sitting around yesterday, July 29, discussing the week. Our conversation went something like this:
Caleb: The end of July is this week.
Tim: Yep, the end is on Thursday.
Ryan (just joining the conversation): No, the end is on Friday.
Tami: True, the end of Houghton camp is on Friday, but July ends on Thursday.
Tim: Yea, something ends Thursday and something ends Friday, but nothing ends today.
My young nephew (in a somber tone): Today is just a day when some random coupon expires.
LOL!!! That shows you the depths of our normal conversation around here!! As I said, I laughed at the randomness of the random coupon comment. However, it does make you think, huh? How do you look at the day? Is today a day that you have thanked God for who he is? Is today a day that you have counted your blessings? Is today a day that you have been in awe that God would love someone like you? Or, is today a day you are just existing through life – a day when some random coupon expires?
The stories of Jesus written in the Bible were written so we can believe, and that by believing we may have life. Life. Not just existence, but life. Granted, that does mean eternal life, but I don’t think life starts in eternity. We can have true, living, vibrant life here on earth, and I wonder if that life begins with the realization of who we are in relation to Jesus. Again I ask the questions, do I stand in awe of Jesus? Am I amazed that he would forgive someone like me? Am I completely ashamed of my sins while realizing that he loves me? Do I raise my hands to him or fall on my face in front of him understanding my total dependence and reliance on God not only for salvation but for all of life?
I want to end with a verse the speaker used today in chapel. For me it helps to sum up why we should celebrate the life we have. Read it. Ponder it. Be in awe of it. It is a familiar verse for many of us, but take this moment to be in awe of who God is and how he loves us.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
Live life. Truly live life. Don’t settle for a “random coupon” day, but allow the awe of God’s love to stun you into life.
August 1st, 2008 at 7:48 am
Thank you for your post. I am convinced that most Christians today are walking around, living an expired coupon life, waiting for the eternal life they’ll live in heaven. That wasn’t what God intended. Living a joyless, let’s get through today or through until the weekend kind of life doesn’t appeal to anyone, especially those who don’t have a relationship with Jesus because they’re already living that smae type of life now. We need to be on fire and that can only be because we’ve asked and submitted to the Holy Spirit and His workings in our life! Come on Christians - wake up and start living the life God called you to! Then, we’ll “catch” some people in His net! Have an amazing day in the Lord!