I'll Take Life, Please!
 
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I’ll Take Life, Please!

It is the Spirit who gives life;
The flesh is no help at all.
The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

-Jesus, John 6:63

How’s your life?
I think most of us can confidently say, “Ummmmm…”
Whatever “life” is, sign us up for an upgrade!
 
And let me tell you, the “upgrade-your-life” market is booming! Everywhere you turn there’s an advertisement for a book, seminar, product, movie, brand, or consultant who can take your old life and make it all new!

And if that one doesn’t work totally, well, here’s another one!

And so one and so forth. It’s called “the leaky bucket” fallacy: it doesn’t matter how many leaky buckets you stack, if they all leak, then they won’t hold water. And if it’s water you need or else you’re empty, dry, and dying, then you’re out of luck.

Or, as Jesus says, “The flesh is no help at all [in getting life].”

All of the “self” helping is merely “flesh” helping, and none of it is going to deliver the goods.
 
What now, Jesus?
“Okay,” says Jesus. “It is the Spirit who gives life.”

Alright! The Spirit gives us life! We’ve found out how to have life, abundant and free! Amen Hallelujah!

But, wait. What does “the Spirit gives life” mean? Do we just ask the Spirit to give us life? (That is a very good place to start, yes.) How does the Spirit give us life? By like, swirling-Disney magic? Nutritional shakes? 

“Hold on,” Jesus continues, “let Me explain: the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.”

Here is what the Spirit uses to give us “spirited” lives: the Word of God. The Spirit of God takes the Word of God (which, after all, the Spirit wrote for us to know life [Ps 16:11a, “You have made known to me the path of life.”] [Spirit wrote: cf. Acts 1:16, 4:25]) and infuses our lives with life.

The Spirit gives life. The Word of God gives life.

So, if today you’re feeling soggy and saggy, drooping or dragging, lifeless and lagging, then turn to Scripture, with a prayer. Ask the Spirit to take the Word and give you life.

Maybe hope. Maybe love. Maybe conviction. Maybe light. Maybe strength. Maybe wisdom.

Like this:
My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word. (Psa 119:25)
My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. (Psa 119:28)
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word! (Psa 119:107)
Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word! (Psa 119:169)

And then, open the Word and look for it. It is there. The Spirit will help.

The Spirit gives life.

Photo by Ohmky on Unsplash

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