Think about how your usual day goes. Can you say that your life is free of stress, worry, problems or pessimism? Chances are, we’ll probably all say “no” in resounding chorus (and with harmony too!) Anyone and everyone, no matter how smart, strategic, experienced or Christian you has probably experienced bumps and trials on a daily basis.
With all the negativity we may receive on regularly, it can be tempting to bounce off that same pessimism and lifelessness to others. That officemate that bugs you, taxi driver that cuts you on the road or meeting that got cancelled at the last minute while you’re already on your way will all probably contribute to a barrage of energy suckers that put us in a state where we don’t feel like resounding life to others.
But the Bible does tell us to be a light to the world, a city on a hill. Based on our own strength and our own circumstances, we probably won’t feel like being life-givers, but our ability to be a blessing is never based on our strength or situation. It’s based on a dependence on God’s grace to fill us with enough blessing, peace and joy that we will naturally manifest.
While there will be trouble in this world, we can be assured that in Jesus, we have conquered all the negativity, hate and pessimism. A manifestation of a heart restored in Christ will do these three things.
1. Receive life
You maybe have been killed inside by the stress and anxiety of the world, and because you have been a recipient of so much hate and destruction, you keep passing the baton thinking that we need to pass on to someone else the hate and hurt like a hot potato just to be free from it. You don’t need to pass the stress and lifelessness to be free from it. If anything, lay it at the cross of Christ.
Revelations 21:4 says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
2. Resound life
Matthew 5:16 tells us, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
We are all part of a broken world that is void of life. People in your offices, campuses, communities, etc. are living but are void of life. You might be the only way that life may resound in them. Speak that life into them by bringing the life of Christ instead of the death of bitterness, hurt, anger, resentment.
Just as God commanded Ezekiel spoke life to the dry bones, we need to speak life into the workplace. You hold the hope of the workplace’s energy at the tip of your tongue, and that’s the name of Jesus Christ. If Jesus can bring dead people back to life, He can bring your office place back to life too.
3. Enjoy life
Psalm 118:17 says, “I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.” Jesus gives life and life to the full. You don’t need to wait for heaven to experience the grace, blessings and life we have in God. He wants us to enjoy life today.
The world wants to make you think that sin is what makes you enjoy- that you should make the most out of illicit relationships, sensual living and materialistic mindsets. There is no freedom and enjoyment in that, friends. Sin is a hole that pretends to give joy, but instead kills us inside.
A life lived in Christ is a life enjoyed, and one proof of that is when we enjoy life in Christ, we will speak life to others, not death. No more cursing, no more bitterness, no more remorse. Just love and grace.
Jesus gives life so that no one needs to die in the exhaustion, stress and pessimism. God loves life so much that He brought Jesus down to earth to be murdered and destroyed so that the world should no longer die.