Living with the Lord of Life in a death-filled world

“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”

We’re numb to it. Used to it.  We don’t like it, but we deal with it.  We make excuses for it.  We refer to it as “The Circle of Life.”  We think it’s natural.  We don’t like thinking about it, but we expect it.  Sometimes, when it hits close to home it shakes us, but we know, deep down, that we can’t avoid it.  Sometimes it comes too soon, but we always know it’s coming.

Death.

It’s everywhere.  Sometimes in small ways.  Despite my best efforts I watch my tenderly cared for plants die in their pots.  Other times in big ways, a loved one dies way too soon.  Death is always around us.

So, praise God that we have a living God.  A God who values life.  Uplifts life. A God who overcame death.  Who raises the dead.  Who promises that the grave is not the end.  The casket is not final.  You are not destined to decay into dust.

Our God – the Trinity – the Three-In-One – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – is a God of life.

Life from the Father

Our Father God is the author of life.  Psalm 139:13-14 remind us of that, “For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb.14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”

Each of us has God to thank for the life we live.  Job reminds us of that too.  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Creating, sustaining, and redeeming life is at the core of who our Father God is.  It’s in His DNA.

Life from Jesus

We also see that the second person of the Trinity, Jesus.  Jesus was constantly linking arms with, joining the ranks of, and uniting Himself to all sorts of lives.  Jesus jumped down out of Heaven, not as a fully grown man, but as a speck of cells in a mother’s womb.  Because Jesus values little lives.  Jesus grew in that mother’s womb, drawing from her blood, sharing her DNA.  Because Jesus loves mother’s lives.  Jesus sat at His earthly father’s table, joined in his trade, and respected his rules.  Because Jesus loves father’s lives.  Jesus touched the lepers and the eyes of the blind.  He sat at tables with tax collectors.  He let Himself be anointed by prostitutes.  He drank water drawn by 5x divorcees.  He died on a cross for the sins of the world.  Because Jesus values the lives of the sick and sinners of all sorts.  Jesus wants all to live.

Life from the Holy Spirit

And today, the Holy Spirit is creating life in you.  The Spirit is pointing you to Jesus.  Remind you of the cross.  Creating and sustaining life-giving faith to you.  Telling you that no matter what (really, no matter what!) you’ve done or where you’ve been, God has eternal life for you.

Yes, death surrounds us. It seems to control us.  There feels like no way out.

But, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give us another way.  The way of life.  And it’s yours.  All yours. Forever yours.

Life from God through you

And it’s your calling to promote, extend, care for, and multiply that life.  As a son or daughter of the Lord of Life you are called to do what God does.  What God values you are called to value.  What God loves you are called to love.

So, how can you extend your love to all lives today?  What life can you care for?  Stand up for? Fight for?  Is it your mother?  A brother?  A sister? A neighbor?  Which life in your life is particularly vulnerable, hurting, or abandoned?  Because God has life for them.  And He’s working through you to extend, care, and proclaim it.

The post God Values: Life appeared first on Pastor Peter Berauer.