Are You Living Your Best Life?
Easter will be here in a few days. As we prepare our hearts for Sunday and the great celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, there is one question we need to ask ourselves, “Are You Living Your Best Life?”
“Come Live Here and Live Your Best Life”
Recently, my husband and I moved into a 55-and-up community for various reasons. One of the advertisements stated, “Come Live Here and Live your Best Life.” Our most significant reason for moving here was to build a community in a safer environment than where we lived. Our last neighborhood had significantly changed from when we originally moved there, and we no longer felt safe. My husband is disabled due to a failed hip operation, and we both felt like captives in our own house. What used to be a quiet, charming neighborhood had become filled with robberies, home invasions, gun violence, and even murder.
Life Lessons in Moving
We both felt like we were no longer living our best lives, but we knew God had more for each of us to do. We fasted and prayed to see where God would lead us. However, I never thought it would be building a new home in a 55 and up community. We are supposed to be getting ready to slow down, not speed up! Has God ever made you so uncomfortable that you knew you had to do something drastic to live a better life? Moving is difficult at any age but even worse in your sixties. Why? Because we have collected too many things along the way. However, to live your best life, you must be willing to walk in faith and obedience; that is precisely what Jesus did.
Jesus’ Example of Living His Best Life
Jesus was living His best life. Jesus knew from the beginning what He was facing and what it would cost Him. Jesus knew he would always be moving from village to village, looking to build community and serving others along the way. Even at the age of twelve, He was about his Father’s business.
For thirty-three years, Jesus walked and talked to all kinds of people, young and old. His relationship with them wasn’t based on what He could get from them but on what He could give them. Jesus gathered twelve very different men, including fishermen, a doctor, a tax collector, a hothead named Peter, and one who would betray him for thirty pieces of silver.
Jesus performed miracles, from turning water into wine to healing the lame, blind, and sick. It didn’t matter if you were rich or poor, a man, woman, or child. Jesus was for you. He slept on dirt floors or in the wilderness, walked endless miles, and met people with every issue you could imagine. He didn’t judge them but loved them. He gave them a choice. Jesus worked tirelessly. Yet, Jesus never complained, and if you asked, I bet Jesus would say he was living the best life. Why? Because He was living in the Father’s will and not his own.
Don’t Live Like the World
The world we live in thinks living our best life is by how much money we make, the size of the house we live in, how many cars are in our garage, and what schools are kids attend or how many friends we have. Could you imagine living like Jesus did and calling it your best life?
Jesus Chose the Best Life
There were things Jesus didn’t want to do, and he asked His Father to take this cup from Him if it was His will. Jesus was completely innocent and died a criminal’s death on the cross. But even then, He chose to die for us to allow us to live the good life for eternity. I can’t imagine being beaten beyond recognition, spit upon, mocked, with stakes pounded in your hands and a crown of thorns thrust in your skull, but do you know what Jesus said as he hung on that cross?
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
Searching My Heart
I wonder where I would have stood in the crowd that day. Would I be yelling, “Crucify Him!” Whose side would I be on in the crowd? Would I be caught up in the drama with the world? Would I think I was living my best life by sending an innocent man to death?
The older I get, the more contemplative I become. Maybe, it is because you have a new respect and outlook for living as you age. My days of youth are behind me, and what I used to be able to do, I can’t do, but with age comes wisdom. Age is a reminder of what was and will never be again. What I used to think was important is no longer important, and it isn’t things that matter; it is people who matter most. People were always important to Jesus.
Living My Best Life
Living my best life is loving and leading others to Jesus. It is about sharing the message and hope of a Savior who lived His best life. God has placed us in this community because the years ahead of us are fewer than the ones behind us. I don’t know where people are spiritually, but we are here to help others live their best lives in Christ and for Him. Living our best life doesn’t mean everything is perfect, but there is a distinct purpose and satisfaction in serving others.
We live in a world that lost its way over two thousand years ago and have been fighting to live our best life ever since. His death is why Jesus living His best life was important for all of us.
Search Your Heart
Would you consider these questions as you prepare your heart for Easter?
- What would it look like for you to live your best life for Jesus?
- What is stopping you from living your best life for Jesus?
I pray we will live our best lives until eternity and not settle for mediocrity. Jesus didn’t, and neither should we.
Let’s Live the Best Life
As we celebrate the risen King, let us remind ourselves of the power of the cross. Even in death, Jesus lived His best life, not for himself. But for all of us. What a beautiful and profound message of love.
