Existence or Life

Philippians 4:12-13
 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
 What or Who are you depending on today? So many times we go through life and we are just getting by, merely existing. Tired and weary or fat and happy, they all apply. We can have plenty and still be living in existence mode, breathing in and breathing out. We can have little and be in the same state of mind. Is this really life? Does the word, "numb" come to mind? God does not intend for us just to survive! He does not want us to be in existence mode. He wants us to live in Jesus mode. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Paul lived! He lived in great conditions and he also lived in harsh conditions. He wrote these very words while he was in prison for preaching the gospel! And yet the book of Philippians is known as the book of JOY. Why?.......because Paul LIVED for Jesus. A life lived in this way is real life. Jesus Christ is the source of all of life, and therefore, the strength of all life. In Colossians 1:17 the Bible says, "He was before all things and in Him all things consist." In John 14:6 Jesus says, "I am the way, the truth, and the LIFE." How can we possibly call it life without Jesus in the center of it? How could we ever expect to have fullness and be satisfied with life if the source of life is not our source of strength? All purpose and meaning are deep with in the One who created us and He has an eternal plan of which He has included us. This is not just existence! The greatest adventure of our life is waiting for us. God wants to show you! He wants to show you how He can fill you with strength, when you have no strength left. God wants to show you how He can fill you with His love when love seems to be in short supply. He wants to show you LIFE OVERFLOWING in a world where real life seems to be scarce. Jesus said in Luke 9:24' " For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." What if we gave in? What if we were to pray and say to our God, "My life belongs to you.  I am Yours.  Please take my life and use it for Your glory." If this were to happen, how would you change? What would be different? There is a calling in every believer to serve the Lord with their life, (Ephesians 2:10).
If you were to pray and ask God to use your life, how would God use you? My friends, this is our ultimate goal and purpose. Life's fulfillment comes at life's surrender to Jesus, the author of life. Jesus told us in Matthew 6:33,"But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you." My prayer for us today is that we will seek GOD and find LIFE! "I can do all things through Christ Jesus who gives me strength." Praise God for His life and our opportunity for it. Seek Him today and find LIFE.