While studying this section of scripture, I discovered something I had not given much thought to before. Some people are repulsed by the idea of eternal life. Their lives are so miserable, filled with such pain, evil or hate, they want relief, not an extension of their time here. They see no hope in tomorrow.
They don't understand that eternal life is not the same existence we experience here and now. They don't know the hope we are talking about and they don't understand their life is meant to be lived at Jesus' side.
Their hope only exists in today. It is our assignment from God to draw close to His Holy Spirit and begin to reveal that hope. The need to see that stunning hope in us, in how we live our lives and how we face the same difficulties they face.
I recall having conversations like this at my husband's bedside shortly before his death. We would discuss our faith journey, acknowledging how far God had brought us spiritually since we first met. We spoke of the day we would be reunited and how wonderful eternal life together would be for us, and for everyone. He died at peace knowing where his Hope came from.
This way of living begins by putting our trust in Jesus, by believing He is who He says He is. Not just believing in Him, that He exists but believing what He says. Then, when we are nearing the end of our time in this world, we will look forward with joy. We will stare into the dark face of death and welcome the Light.
John 3:21 (NIV)
But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."
John 3:14-21
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