Thought of the Day !!

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 (NRSV)

I remember few Greek words from seminary. I always figured I'd have Bible dictionaries and commentaries to point out what the original Greek meant when I needed to know. But one of the words I hope I will never forget Dr. Minor teaching me is Zoe (Zoe-EE). This is the Greek word used in the Gospel of John for life. What is so important about this word is that it doesn't mean the kind of life that exists through our hearts beating and oxygen flowing in and out of our lungs. It means living with purpose, meaning, and even pizazz. (I believe that the word Dr. Minor used was "ummphh".)

As I was reading Maxi Dunnam's book Irresistible Invitation this morning, I came across these words that continued the definition of Zoe life for me. He writes that he pondered life and that this is what came up.

"It looks like acceptance experienced by a despised tax collector. It looks like forgiveness experienced by a woman who had sold her body and was about to be stoned by those who didn't understand such forgiveness. It looks like new meaning for a person estranged from her community, who comes to the well at midday to find a mysterious young Jew who tells her about the refreshing waters of eternal life. It looks like healing for a man possessed by forces that drive him to dwell among the tombs, but has his mind put at ease as his disease is eradicated. It looks like comfort and hope for two women who are helplessly crying because their beloved brother is in the tomb. It looks like hungry men sharing some loaves and fishes on a hillside, like human need of all kinds being met, the lame leaping for joy, the blind receiving sight, the deaf hearing, captives released, the dead brought to life again." - (Irresistible Invitation, pg 95)

Is this how you see life, or is your life simply about getting up every day, doing your routine, maybe having a little fun from time to time, keeping that heart beating and that oxygen flowing?

If your desire is for Dr. Minor's and Maxie Dunnam's description of life, then you're in luck. It can be had. Simply ask, seek and listen for Christ to share this kind of life with you. Then go out and live it. Do your part in making your own life meaningful by making others' lives meaningful at the same time.

In the love of Christ,
greg