I am come that you might have life and have it abundantly.  John 10:10

 

In Jack Kerouac’s book, On The Road, one character turns to the other and says, “We gotta go and never stop going till we get there.”  “Where we going, Man?” asks the other.  “I don’t know but we gotta go” is the answer.

Life is pretty much like that for a lot of people.  It seems that our lives are one frantic squirrel cage existence–always on the go.  Often our purpose in life is lost in the busyness and press of activities so that we have nothing to look forward to, only another day of the same thing with too much to get done and too little time to do it.

While we were waiting for dinner when I was in the home of an insurance salesman, I picked up a current sales manual.  The lead article told the salesman how to increase his sales.  It spelled out four points, and what struck me as so interesting was that the same four points not only help the insurance salesman to sell more insurance, but they will help any man put his life in perspective for all eternity if he follows them.  Let me give you the four points–guidelines–and then talk about them.

Number One, says the insurance manual:  The individual must recognize that he has a problem.  Secondly, he must have a strong desire to solve the problem.  Thirdly, he must recognize that finding the solution to the problem is more important than anything else in his life.  And fourthly, he must be willing to give up something to obtain that goal.

The first guideline of the insurance manual was letting the prospective buyer realize that he has a problem–in that case, not enough insurance.  But on second thought, no man can solve any problem until he comes face to face with it and recognizes that he needs help.  We have been talking about goals and purposes in life.  What are yours?  Can you spell them out, or do you recognize that there really is not much in your life that makes life worth living?

Lots of people never cross over the bridge to reality.  They live in a fairy-tale world of make-believe.  They convince themselves that their lives are meaningful, but deep down in their heart they recognize that they are searching and seeking for reality, which is pretty much passing them by.

The second step involves having a strong desire to solve the problem or conflict that exists in your heart.  God has put within the heart of every man a conscience–it is a small voice that speaks of right and wrong.  Jesus said that the Holy Spirit makes us realize that our lives are empty apart from God’s grace.  If you feel that you have been shortchanged, be thankful!  There is hope for you.

Thirdly, you must recognize that finding a solution to your problem is one of the most important things you will ever do.  Jesus stated the purpose of His coming when He said, “I am come that you might have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Countless scores of people have found in Him the answer to their searching hearts.  Have you?  He made such promises as, “Whoever comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37), and “Whatsoever you shall ask in My name, I will do it” (John 14:13).  None but God would dare to do this.  The last guideline suggests that you must be willing to give up something to find reality in Christ.  He, Himself, said this, “Whoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).  Are you willing to give up the sin that has defeated you, the problem that has dragged you down, the hopelessness that brings despair? Turn from that and just follow Him.  And then your life will find real purpose and significance. It’s a good trade.

Resource reading: John 6.