A veteran mountain climber was sharing his experiences with a group of novices preparing for their first major climb. He had conquered many of the world’s most difficult peaks, so he was qualified to give them some advice. "Remember this," he said, "your goal is to experience the exhilaration of the climb and the joy of reaching . . . the peak. Each step draws you closer to the top. If your purpose for climbing is just to avoid death, your experience will be minimal."
I see an application to the Christian’s experience. Jesus did not call us to live the Christian life just to escape hell. It’s not to be a life of minimum joy and fulfillment, but a life that is full and overflowing. Our purpose in following Christ should not be merely to avoid eternal punishment. If that’s our primary motivation, we are missing the wonders and joys and victories of climbing higher and higher with Jesus.
The Lord promised us "life . . . more abundantly" (JOHN 10:10). We cannot experience a full and abundant life if we are living in fear. When we walk by faith, we will see each day of the Christian life as a challenge to be met, and as one more upward step to glory!
Do not live minimally. Life to the maximum! Climb that mountain with confidence! – David C. Egner
God has given life abundant –
Live it fully every day;
Though our time on earth is fleeting,
He goes with us all the way. – Hess
READ: JOHN 10:7-11
We get the most out of life when we live for Christ.