Life is based on something. What that something is determines virtually everything else about that life. Discovering what that something is opens doors of exploration that answer questions on behaviours, beliefs, and the sense of belonging. As well as answering questions, however, it sparks more questions on how the foundation was set, why it was chosen to be the foundation, and the most essential question of all – is that foundation sufficient for a life that thrives?
That last question, of course, implicitly assumes that people pursue and prefer a life that thrives. That assumption can certainly be challenged when much has been done to provoke and promote a scarcity mentality and a fear syndrome. Words such as shortage, crisis, austerity, and recession, among others, work wonders in limiting human innovation, expansion and exploration. They work well to give the impression that we’re running out and we’ve got to do something to conserve and reserve as much as we can because there isn’t a limitless supply.
Despite the messaging, there is still that hunger and desire in the human experience to go beyond merely what it takes to survive. There is an urge to fulfil and become something far greater than limitations suggest. There’s a sense in which those limitations are barriers to be broken somehow and for the enjoyment of life to be experienced in fulfilling functions beyond doing what it takes to eat and stay clothed. This is even acknowledged by Jesus, who outlined that life is defined as more than eating, drinking and clothing.
Indeed, it is Jesus who understood that survival was not the purpose for which humanity was placed on the earth. His presence and mission expressed the heartbeat of the Creator, who gave humanity a mission to fill the earth and subdue it. That mission was about making the most of the resources God had placed on the earth in a bid to express dominion that sought not to exploit to destruction but to nurture and cultivate to fruitfulness and flourishing. That mandate could be accomplished by humanity collaborating with the Creator who put them on the earth.
Rejection of that collaboration ushered in extremes and abuses that successfully missed the mark of God’s purpose in humans on earth. Rejection of that collaboration allowed an alternative collaboration to take place with someone Jesus pointed out was only there to steal, kill and destroy. Unsurprisingly, all efforts of mankind since to rule and have mastery have been typified and noted for their capacity to contaminate and corrupt rather than to stimulate and enliven. There is no man-made construct that gives life – every man-made construct in some way steals, kills and destroys. Even if that is dressed up under concepts like maintenance and service, it’s delaying and prolonging the inevitable, often in debilitating, humiliating and dehumanising ways, albeit in sophisticated and glamorous trappings.
Jesus came to offer a return to the proposal of heavenly collaboration. His offer made it clear that in contrast to the demonic pact that led to theft, death and destruction, He offered life in its fullness. He was not offering a scarcity mentality or a fear-driven syndrome. He was not saying that there was not enough, He was saying that He was more than enough. Many of His words referred to overflowing and abundance. Not looking to attract people to a life with loads of money and material goods. Rather, looking to turn people to a fruitful life, a life that thrives. A life that is like a tree planted by rivers that enables the tree to deliver fruit in its season with evergreen leaves where activities succeed because of its deep-rooted connection to the source of life. That fullness of life is received when we place our trust in God and make Him our source, our centre – our foundation.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 