Frank Sinatra, whose albums have sold over 50 million copies and counting, once recorded a song entitled “That’s Life”. The opening lyrics declare “That’s life, that’s what people say. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May…” The life expressed in the verses and chorus of this song is one of ups and downs and constantly attempting to recover from failure.
While this may be an accurate description of life in this world, is this really life? Mr. Sinatra has departed this life, and now knows all the truth about living. While life in this world is like the song, all about the struggle, the Bible presents a way of life that is much different.
While cruising to the source of Crooked Creek in Panama City Beach, I enjoyed the beauty that surrounded me and my companions. I saw the marsh grass and heard it rustle as Ospreys flew over, alarmed at our presence in their domain. The brown water provided stark contrast to the lush green foliage of the woods that shepherded the creek along its’ course. Fallen trees punctured he watercourse at irregular intervals, and everywhere graying and dying tree trunks held up their heads. Life and death worked together to paint a canvas of great beauty. It was paradise on earth.
NO MORE PAIN
As I enjoyed the scenery, I thought “now this is really living.” Kicking back and enjoying the creation was pleasure indeed. Suddenly the Holy Spirit spoke to me and said “so you think THIS is life?” God began to show me the truth about the life around me in a way I had not conceived before. He pointed out that although what I saw was indeed beautiful, it was not life as He created it to be.
When He created the earth, nothing in it was dead or dying. Adam and Eve were not created to die, nor was anything else the Father made. Heaven has no death at all. Rev 21:4 tells us of our future home “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
I realized the dead and dying trees and foliage along the creek were not representative of the life God has planned for us. Where God lives there is life that is untouchable by any form of death or decay. When I take a creek ride in heaven, I will see no death of any kind, only LIFE! The God kind of life that is infused with His Power and Presence.
THE WORD GIVES LIFE
While still in this earth, we will encounter death and decay in the beauty around us, yet our lives should not be subject to the destruction of this world. We have stepped over into the God kind of life, as described by Jesus in John 3:36. “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life. We already live in the realm of perfect and unspoiled eternal life that God provides through Jesus Christ. Our spirits will never decay and grow old.
When we see the environment around us, we should be grateful for its’ beauty, but understand that we are destined to experience the God kind of life. The LIFE that sustains, nourishes, and refreshes us. The scripture says of Jesus “The Word gave life to everything that was created and his life brought light to everyone.” (John 1:4) Jesus gives us the LIFE OF GOD to enjoy now and forever, so that we can sing “now THAT’S life, that’s what JESUS says” Enjoy every moment of the LIFE He provides, both now and throughout eternity!!
