I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)
On Monday I introduced the idea of creating a “believer’s bucket list” — a list of things we deeply desire to do before the Lord calls us home. I suggested that you make reading through the entire Bible an item on your bucket list. Today I’d like to encourage you to consider coming up with a life verse that truly speaks to your heart.
Item #2 – Life Verse
A life verse is a verse or even a passage of Scripture that seems like it was written by God just for you. In my years as a pastor, I have seen that those who do have a life verse usually cite powerful reasons why that verse or passage resonates so deeply with them, from a major life event to the accomplishment of a great goal. Perhaps the reason is rooted in growing and maturing in their faith. My life verse has changed over the years, due to all of those reasons and different seasons of life. Here is a verse of sacred Scripture that resonates deeply with me today:
Jesus asked, “Do you have anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41)
After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples, who were cowering behind locked doors. The disciples were “startled and frightened” when they saw Him, “thinking they saw a ghost” (Luke 24:37). Jesus said to them, “Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have” (Luke 24:39). Then Jesus said something that resonates deeply in my heart: “Do you have anything here to eat?”
WOW! When we get to the other side of the grave, we will have resurrected bodies and we will eat! We will hug, we will dance and sing and work and play and we will EAT! I used to think that “going to heaven” meant that I would be a spirit being, floating around on a fluffy cloud, strumming a celestial harp for all eternity. And that really didn’t excite me much! But to know we will have immortal, resurrected bodies and will do many of the same things we currently are doing fills my soul with joyful anticipation. When I think of eternity that way, the invitation to the marriage supper with Jesus rocks my world! I love to eat, and knowing that food will be part of our forever existence is awesome!
When I find myself in the midst of a season when the storm winds are blowing and the waves of challenge are washing over me, I reflect on these words of Jesus, and I am reminded that the best is yet to come.
I’ll see you on Friday for our final item on our bucket list.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 