Living The Good Life!

by Pastor Ted

In our country, in our state, and in our city, people are healthier and cleaner, richer and smarter than they have ever been before. Collectively, we live longer lives, we eat better, and we dress warmer than we ever have before. We work less and play more than at any time in the history of the human race. But are we happier? Are we living “the good life”?

Over the years I have had the joy of hearing several confirmation students speak at their confirmation services. Generally, they are asked to tell what their faith means to them, or something similar to that. One of the keys things that has stayed with me from those talks was their description of their growing faith as “trusting God helping them live the good life.” I think they mean something like – a nice house, a happy marriage, 2.83 children, and toys. Lots of toys – a boat, maybe a pet or two, a cabin, a motor home, a couple of nice cars. The good life also includes some nice vacations or short trips, maybe going south for the winter. Are you living “the good life”?

In the tenth chapter of the gospel of John, Jesus describes himself as the good shepherd.  In this description, the good shepherd loves the sheep. The shepherd guards the gate to the sheep fold. The shepherd provides safety for the sheep, even laying down his life to protect the sheep from the thieves, bandits and predators.  And then in verse 10 Jesus says, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The good shepherd comes to bring life – abundant life.  Could it be that Jesus was talking about what we call “the good life”?

This fall, Pastor Luke and I will explore this idea of the good life in a series of messages. We will look at what we in our culture talk about as the good life and compare that with what Jesus called the abundant life. I invite you to wear your Hawaiian shirts or other favorite summer “good life” outfit for our Homecoming Sunday worship on Sunday, September 9, as we begin to talk about Living the Good Life.

See you on September 9th!