Ethan Seifried - April 4, 2021
Celebration
John 15:9-11. Ultimately, we all just want to be happy. Blaise Pascal said, "“All men seek happiness. This is without exception. Whatever different means they employ, they all tend to this end. The cause of some going to war, and of others avoiding it, is the same desire in both, attended with different views. The will never takes the least step but to this object. This is the motive of every action of every man." Jesus lived, died, and rose again to secure your eternal joy.
From Series: "How to Eat an Elephant"
We all want to experience a meaningful, joyful life. No one wants to drag themselves out of bed in the morning, wishing they didn’t have to get up at all. We all want to want to get up, to have a reason and deep purpose for each day. For followers of Jesus we know that’s found in relationship with God through Jesus. But somewhere along the way the newness and excitement wore off. The intimacy shrank back, like a long distance relationship that you’ve tried to make work but it just doesn’t. It just feels like God’s not there any more, like he’s let go. And maybe you’ve started to let go too. But for those who have tasted the goodness of God, who have felt the joy of Christ well up inside of them, we there’s more. We long for an intimacy with God that doesn’t fade away, that doesn’t seem to disappear when you need it most. The good news is: you can have that! It won’t always be sunshine and roses. God does not promise us that if we seek after him, everything in your life will be perfect. But he does promise us that if we seek him, we will find him. That if we knock, he’ll open the door. If we taste, we will see that he is good. And we do that through the spiritual disciplines. That is the secret to a meaningful, joy-filled life--even in the worst times of our lives: disciplined tasting and seeing how good God’s grace is. That’s “How to Eat an Elephant.” One bite at a time.