life

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
    - Jesus Christ

Jesus stated purpose for coming to earth was that we might have life, not just a meager existence but abundant life. The Greek word we translate as "abundant" literally means "excessive, superior in quality, super abundant". In other words, the reason Jesus came was to allow us to experience life far beyond the what we could imagine.

If Jesus came so that we might live life beyond normal, why do so many people live, not in abundant life, but in a dull dreary manner? Why do so many people go to work everyday to a job they despise? Why do people endure boring empty church services? Why do people disregard their God-given dreams, choosing instead the way of safety and boredom?

The Greek word that we translate as "sin" in the scriptures has less to do with a set of actions and more to do with missing the point. In other words, when we choose something other than the abundant life offered by Jesus, we miss the point or mark, we sin.

There are a variety of reasons why we do not embrace abundant life, choosing instead the way of sin. The expectations of people, the fear of stepping beyond our current existance, the need to be in control of our circumstances all contribute to our missing the mark.

I am at the point in my life when I am becoming increasingly aware of my mortality. In all likelihood, I have lived more than half of my life. When a teenager, life stretches before us as a never ending road the disappears over the horizon in the far distant future. For me, the horizon has become much closer. As the last half of my life comes into view, the question of how I shall live my days becomes a very present question.

If I am to experience all that God has for me in the last half of my life, then I must choose life. I am becoming increasingly aware that I really do not have the time to waste on activities and endeavors that do not bring life. "Missing the mark" (sin) always results in death. I don't have the luxury of extra days days to waste in death, in engaging in activities that cause me to miss the mark.