It was the final episode of a TV series, and I’d been waiting for weeks for find out what would happen. So, with a cuppa and my TV glasses, I sat in my favorite chair with eager expectation. About half-way through, I thought – “What?! Surely not! I know it’s going to end better than this!” Incidentally – it didn’t. And I was so disappointed. Over weeks of anticipation, I really did hope for more than that! In a similar way of hope, we can live for more – and have more – each day.
Live For More
To live for more is an interesting concept. In many ways each day, you and I live for more. From a small event like a closing TV show, to a large investment, to a commitment in a career or ministry, and so on. We simply always live for more. And we hope for more.
In actuality, this is part of our human design. It’s sort of “inbred” to live for more. And we’re wired to hope. There is a really wonderful component to this longing – and a horribly frightful component at the opposite end.
Really Wonderful
Simply knowing it’s within reach to live for more gives you hope and drive to launch out. This launch can often improve your situation, your conditions, and your future. So, in this way, to live for more is really wonderful. In fact, it’s an invitation to discover and be you, to reach for your full potential, to make a difference in this world.
Consequently, this is critical to your community, your country, and the world. Your life matters – and even makes it possible for others to live for more. What a gift to give someone! And incidentally, don’t underestimate your influence. It reaches far beyond what you might imagine.
Really Wonderful is the gift Jesus came to give people. He wants you – and everyone – to live for more. He came to give life abundantly! Jn. 10:10 says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Horribly Frightful
At the other end of really wonderful is horribly frightful. What does this mean? Well, when a person becomes self-focused, in-grown, and stunted by a mis-interpretation of “live for more,” bad things can happen. Horribly frightful things –
- For individuals
- In families
- Affecting entire communities – nations – the world.
Sadly, this is when a person becomes very unhealthy. Bitter. Resentful. Actually, living for more – but only for self – is an implosion waiting to happen. This has never represented God’s nature, His creation, or the human race as He designed it.
And, of course, this means God has more for you. Why not find how to live for more?
Look Up And Outward For More
People are healthier when they look upward to God – and outward to others and world realities. Even when things don’t look good, this honest look can bring perspective and change.
What if the world is unhealthy? Well, it is! We already know that part. However, Jesus had purpose coming into this world. Lk. 9:56 says, Jesus ” . . . did not come to destroy men’s lives. He came to save them . . .”
So we can conclude – Jesus came to do away with what is horribly frightful. And bring a lot more really wonderful into people’s lives.
Helpful Tips For More
Reasonably, a question is – “how to live for more without being self-focused?” There are several helpful tips to live for more. And interestingly, most tips are simple things that influence your approach to life. Without these tips, you would not have a shot at really wonderful in a broken, sinful world. You’d be confined to horribly frightful every day.
Because we live in challenging current world conditions, we need simple, helpful tips. From war-torn countries, to hunger, to the tragedy of society’s fabric being ripped apart by lies and self-focus.
So, let’s look at three helpful tips.
1. God Loves You
It’s true!
God loves you.
He promised to love you no matter what happens. No matter what you choose. No matter what circumstances fill your life. He says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jer. 31:3)
When life threatens you with horrible stuff, fall back into Him. He is your strong fortress. (Ps. 31:2) Similar to a force field around you, His Spirit keeps you safely hemmed-in with a reach far beyond the dimensions of this world.
God’s love is so practical. In fact, it fills you with joy and confidence to rise up no matter how harsh things become around you. As time passes into what the Bible calls “the end times,” life will get increasingly challenging. How assuring to know in your heart – God will never leave or forsake you in these times. (Deut. 31:6)
He also knows your limitations. Ps. 103:14 says, “For He knows what we are made of; He realizes we are made of clay.” He knows we are made from the dust of the earth. And He is the one who formed us.
2. God Provides Instruction To Live For More
Because God has given you the “heads-up” about living in this broken world, you can live for more with –
- Peace
- Joy
- Power.
Generously, God provides critical instructions in His Word. So, you have everything needed for every developing situation. (2 Pet. 1:3-4) Consequently, you can “live forward” with confidence even when crossroads of life are filled with turmoil, confusion, fear, threats, and hurt.
If you cling to God’s instructions, then you’ll be filled with a “can-do” perspective.
God has gone before you to every crossroads you will experience. Anticipating your arrival, He has stock-piled supplies, rest-stops, and refreshment just for you. But you have to trust Him for those things, or they won’t be yours.
Interestingly, it’s the person who adopts God’s principles that lives a healthy life – even in troubled times. Even in end times. So, take in God’s Written Word (Scripture) to engage a rich, meaningful relationship with the Living Word (Jesus)! In other words – KNOW GOD!
Build a strong relationship with Jesus using Scripture in these ways:
- Reading
- Studying
- Memorizing
- Meditating on
- Trusting in
- Obeying
It’s impossible to separate the Written Word from the Living Word. They are one and the same. If you try to separate them, you end up with legalism on one end or shallowness on the other. Keep in mind – people have died to get Scripture into people’s hands because it connects them to Jesus.
If you take In God’s Written and Living Word, then you will live an Alive and Active Life!
3. God Transforms You To Live For More
God transforms you as you trust His love and obey His instructions. He literally changes your character to be like His own.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been a Jesus follower. Even with a wealth of experience, there’s always more transformation needed to be like Christ. Personally, I’ve been stunned to realize how much “more” is right around the corner when I get there. Walking life out with Jesus always opens a door to live for more.
I’m certain you’ve discovered life isn’t always really wonderful. There is way too much that’s horribly frightful. Subsequently, in each difficulty, pause and remember what you already know.
You are designed to participate in transformation! 2 Pet. 1:5-8 gives an excellent short list what to aim for.
Transformation always takes place in the moment. Not in the next moment. It’s in the current moment. God blesses responses of faith even when you can’t see it.
Live For More, And Even More
Living with Jesus each day is a process of learning, growing, discovering. Consequently, it also means thriving. This is because 1. God loves you, 2. provides instruction, and 3. transforms you – more, and even more.
God wants you to be who He created – increasingly. And enjoy what’s still good in life, even in end times. Things like –
- Nature
- Dear friends
- Food, clothing
- Freedoms
- Responsibility
- Much more.
When tempted to give up – or take a dip into ungodly decisions, it’s time to be stubborn about trusting God’s love. Be stubborn about honoring His instructions when tested, tired, hurting, discouraged. And be stubborn about letting God continually transform you.
Through surrender, you discover more, and even more. God has for you. Remember – He’s waiting for you to arrive at each crossroads with supplies, rest-stops, and refreshment for the next part of your journey.
Be assured of your life and future. Live for more that’s really wonderful.
Conversely, the person who is near-sighted, blind, and forgetful of what matters most – gets more of what’s horribly frightful. (2 Pet. 1:9)
Application Thoughts And Questions
What’s in your life that’s really wonderful?- Do you have anything horribly frightful threatening your peace, joy, and power?
- Have you been stuck looking inward at self? Why not look up and out – to God and others?
- Do you believe God loves you?
- Have you determined to follow His instructions each day?
- Are you cooperating with His work to transform you?
- Do you enjoy what’s still good? (Nature, a dear friend, food, clothing, freedoms, responsibility, etc.)
- Why not live for more, and even more?
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