“The best life is the Christian life!” I really believe that. Jesus said, “I’ve come to give you life and give it more abundantly” (John 10:10). It isn’t the easiest life. It isn’t the most glamorous life. But it is the best life.

LET’S TALK…

What kind of life does Jesus offer us? Three descriptors come to my mind. It’s a life of purpose, peace and progress.

1. It’s a life of Purpose.
   Many people confuse a busy life with a meaningful life. They are not the same.  Having a busier schedule may be a better life but the best life is a life of purpose.

   So we search for meaning through the things around us. The problem is that they are temporary, fleeting. The best life is found in the things that give us constant meaning, eternal meaning. The Bible says, “Christ gives meaning to your life.”  Col 3:4a (CEV)

   You were made by God. You didn’t make yourself. Rick Warren put it this way, “You were made by God and for God and until you understand that life will never make sense.”

   I’ve heard people say, “If I really gave my life to God and followed Christ, my life wouldn’t be cool anymore. No fun, no excitement, total boredom.” That’s the farthest from the truth. We were made by God and the best life is found when we find our life in Him!

2. It’s a life of Peace.
   We live in a world of conflict. All outward conflict is a result of inward conflict. Simply put: there cannot be external peace until there is internal peace. The Bible says that Jesus is the source of peace. In fact, one of His names is the “Prince of Peace.”

   One of the most powerful word pictures of God is the image of a rock. God is called the Rock of Ages. Our Eternal Rock. The Rock of our salvation. Over 42 times the Bible compares God to a rock. Why? Because a rock is steady and strong. They don’t give under pressure easily. A rock is reliable. That’s who God is.

   As Christ follower’s we don’t rely on outward circumstances for our peace. We rely on Christ. God says that’s the kind of stability and strength He can put in your life if you’ll let Him be the rock of your life.

   “You, LORD, give true peace to those who depend on you, because they trust you. So, trust the LORD always, because he is our Rock forever.” Isaiah 26:3-4 (NCV)

3. It’s a life of Progress.
   Way back when, some of us wore a pin that read: “PBPWMGINFWMY?” Remember that? It stood for “Please Be Patient With Me God Is Not Finished With Me Yet.” Corny, I know, but true! None of us are perfect. I think the best definition of holiness is “becoming more like Christ!” Each day God wants me to grow and learn and mature. The Bible says we are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (NIV)

BEFORE YOU GO…

It’s easy to get caught up in the everyday “tyranny of the urgent” and it’s not too long before we feel stuck and stagnant. Pretty quickly it feels like God’s promise to complete the work He’s begun seems like it must be for everyone else which in turn robs us of our peace and causes us to doubt our purpose.

One of the tools that I’ve found to be really helpful during those times is coaching. Having a trusted coach help me evaluate my current circumstances has motivated me to keep making progress, restored my peace, and focused my purpose.

What about you? What tools have helped you or what words of truth spur you to re-focus?