Jesus wants the best for us

“This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
--John 15:8-11 (NIV)

There was a study a few years back of a group of adults, aged 95 years or older, all of whom were asked, "If you had life to do over again, what would you do differently?" Their responses fell into three major categories.

First, reflect more. Spend more time considering who you are, what you are here for, what God is calling you to become. What makes life worth living and fulfilling? Family and faith, both of which require hefty doses of forgiveness.

Second, take more risks. Life is very short. Take some risks to accomplish more. Don't be afraid of failures or mistakes. Why climb out on limbs? Because that's where the fruit is. No limb-climbing, no fruit-picking.

Third, do more things that will last forever. Invest in eternity. Make this world a better place because you sojourned here.(1)

You can hear in these words how important finding a life of significance can be. When people come to the ending moments of life their greatest concern is that their life counted for something.

Jesus taught us that the significant life is a fruitful life as his disciple. What does it meant to be fruitful? Loving God, living rightly, loving your neighbor, sharing the gospel message, being part of a Christian community-- these are all things Jesus considers bearing fruit. These are the things that ultimately give us significance. These are the things that will resonate with our deepest yearnings and give our lives vigor and excitement.

The fruitful, joy-filled life is ours as disciples (studious followers) of Jesus Christ. Jesus tells us that it’s vitally important to have an ongoing (abiding) relationship with him through prayer and God’s word. It is “. . . so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.”

That’s good news! Joy—that sense of contentment and connection with God no matter what’s happening in life—is God’s desire for you. Our living and ever-present Lord wants to nourish us and invigorate us. He wants to shape our lives in a way that brings us significance and joy. What can be better to hear in times like these than that Jesus wants the best for us!

(1)Bouldin, Ears to Hear, Eyes to See: Witnessing Through Media (Nashville: Broadman, 1987), 81.