The Art of Almost Living

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

Mark 10:13-15

Think back to when you were little, and remember how large the world seemed at the time. Real life wasn’t on television—it was outside, with the grass and the bugs. The outdoors was full of opportunity and mystery, an adventure just waiting to be explored. It didn’t matter if you had a friend with you or not; an adventure was in the making as you began crafting the narrative in your mind on your way out the back door. As for your aspirations, you had zero doubts back then about becoming something great one day. You believed it as confidently as if your manifest destiny were written in stone. And we had such grandiose dreams back then.

Over time, however, the effects of living in a fallen world began to wear on you like water on stone. Your manifest is still written there , but the letters' are beginning to fade. Maybe it was a bully at school picking on you. Maybe it was problems at home with the parents. Maybe it was money struggles or the realization that others had it so much better—or worse—than you. But there comes a time in your life when reality starts to sink in, and you are pressured to accept your lot in life.

And most do.

When you were little, you wanted to believe everyone was good and that we could all get along if we only tried a little harder. But this eternal optimism we held so dearly as children becomes one of the first sacrifices we make on our ascent into adulthood. Yet, when reminiscing about our younger selves, we remember wanting to be something larger than life. Maybe it was a superhero, a music star, or an actor. Perhaps you wanted something a little more grounded, like a police officer, an astronaut, a soldier, or a firefighter. Fair to say none of us dreamed of sitting in a cubicle or waiting tables for the rest of our lives.

At some point, most of us dreamed of becoming a doctor or veterinarian—not for the prestige of the title, or the paycheck, but out of a genuine desire to heal and help those who were hurting regardless of whether they had four legs or two.

It wasn’t until much later, after realizing the cost in terms of years and effort required to achieve said dreams, that many of us walked away to find something more palatable for our capabilities and tolerances. Granted, this decision may not be something you agreed to, circumstances not withstanding, but most end up making that fateful decision to go the easier route.

Along the way, even small decisions—like quitting piano lessons or dropping out of a sport—began to set a precedent. Quitting went from being the last option to the first when things got hard. This reminds me of the old saying that says "Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

An even more precarious scenario is as parents, trying to find the best balance between encouraging persistence without imposing our own desires on our children.

As parents, we often reminisce with equal parts nostalgia and regret when looking into the eyes of our offspring—nostalgia for the innocence of our childhood and regret for the adults we’ve become. We often end up trying to relive our adolescence through our children, very often surprised to find out that our children don't often share the same level of enthusiasm for reliving our 'retro' passions as we do. Thus, the generational divide begins marking the end of one era and the beginning of the next.

Adulthood—and especially parenthood—teaches experientially that optimism and curiosity are more often than not, at odds with each other. Each is shaped by the demands of any given situation and paraphrasing the wisest man to ever live, increasing knowledge increases sorrow (Ecc. 1:18). The more we know about this world, the less likely we are to be enthusiastic about where it’s headed.

Yes, adulthood grants us the freedom to explore who we want to become, while parenthood roots us in responsibility, reshaping our priorities. Simply put, the single adult looks outward, while the parent is forced to look inward.

A mother yearns to be a nurturing mother and a supportive wife, striving to be seen as an equal partner while encouraging her husband to step into the role God has called him to fulfill. Meanwhile, a father desires to protect and provide for his family, standing as a shield against the increasing evils of a world fixated on corrupting innocence, particularly through its impact on children (Eph. 5:22-6:4)

Although adulthood may broaden our horizons and deepen our engagement with the world, parenthood calls us to vigilance, demanding we guard against the moral decay that threatens what we hold most dear, that being our children. In a world where wickedness is increasingly pervasive, it becomes difficult for any adult to remain boundlessly optimistic. Yet, as Christian believers, we are to be representative of bearing the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22-25). How do we maintain our own personal sanity, let alone the gifts of the Holy Spirit, given the lunacy we see passing for normal today? The only way to reconcile these paradoxical tensions is by anchoring ourselves in the understanding of God’s plan for the future and the hope it provides. For example, Ephesians 2:4-7 says:

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Without sounding overly pessimistic, if our hope is found only in this life, we are bound for disappointment and dissatisfaction.

As born again believers, our hope isn't in this life. Our hope isn't in a particular political party or a national ideology. It isn't even in making this a better world for our children to inherit. Our hope is in a Person, the Man, Christ Jesus.

He is God incarnate. Only He can fix this world because He alone created and sustains this universe. He has great things in store for those who love Him and desire to see Him. Our desire should be to be pleasing to Him, allowing Him to lead us to where He wants us to be in the timeline He has put us in. Of all the relationships we could ever hope to have in this life, our relationship with Jesus Christ is the most important. This is the most dynamic and consequential relationship we could ever foster in our short, mortal lives yet so many fail to ever find it, let alone, embrace it. The Bible tells us that while salvation is free and available to all mankind, most of mankind does not want anything to do with it.

Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matthew 7:13

According to the Bible, salvation cannot be earned (Eph. 2:7-8), it is the free gift of God (John 3:16). This idea of “free” runs counter to every other belief system on the planet due to the Babylonian nature we exist under.

It runs counter because biblical Christianity is the only belief system that demonstrates how the creator God, came to earth, humbly lived life as a perfect man, and then willingly sacrificed Himself as a ransom for many. But because the wages of sin is death, and Jesus had never sinned, death could not hold Him. Thus, our salvation is a free gift that only comes by faith through grace, not of works, lest anyone should boast (as if they added to it). Knowing people, we would totally boast if we had added even one iota to our own salvation. Moreover, it is impossible to please God without this one key ingredient.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Jesus taught us that childlike faith isn't just optional, it is essential. Our recognition of our own helplessness regarding our salvation and our future restores the requisite level of innocence and reminds us to not fixate on the minutiae but to simply trust God’s plan. This is incredibly difficult given the precarious position it puts us in terms of our perceived vulnerabilities. Moreover, we are to be good stewards of the talents we have been given, not hoarding or burying our talents in the ground, but rather, bring them out and invest them in the times in which we live (Matt. 25:14-30). But most never even bother to find out what they’re gifting as are, let alone, use them productively.

Most people never bother to explore the most dynamic relationship we could ever have, rather, settling for existing in the daily grind we unambiguously call life. A large majority of people follow a script when it comes to life: 1) graduate school 2) either work or go to college, 3) marry, 5) have children, 6) work hard to live comfortably, 7) retire, and 8) die. For the vast majority of human history, life was you are born, you worked, and you died. From generation to generation, wash, rinse, repeat. Too often, we live our lives reactively rather than living proactively, stuck in the same proverbial ruts of routines and coasting through long stretches of our short lives on cruise control.

But life always gets a vote—unexpected events like falling in love, a car accident, a job loss, or the death of a parent can and often do rewrite the script. I believe these are God's divine touch-points in our lives to get us to look up, and look to Him, rather than looking at ourselves. While we all have these moments, precious few look at these 'crises' as opportunities to turn to God rather than trying to do it all ourselves.

While I’m not a financial advisor, I would urge you to invest in eternal things. If you’re wondering what eternal things are, let me expound. What I mean is that we should all invest in what will endure the purging fires of God’s Bema judgment (2 Cor 5:9-11). Things like sharing the gospel, being kind and gracious, loving unconditionally, speaking truth in love, and fulfilling your God-given purpose according to His will. Neither should we allow the pessimism of this age rob us of our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13).

As adults, we know life is not easy. Life is not like just wishing for something to be, and it becomes that thing. Good specialized jobs require education, experience, and suitable life skills. A good marriage requires give and take, and constant attention. Well behaved children require consistent good parenting. In other words, the difference between adulting and childing is that adults have to deal with all the details that children just assume to take care of themselves. But just because something is hard, doesn't mean it can't be enjoyable.

As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:11-13:

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

We are not putting away our childlike faith in God but in our naivety regarding the fallen condition of this world.

The Art of Almost Living

If you wanted to live a life that was almost worth living, then live life without Jesus Christ. It doesn’t even matter if you’re rich or poor or famous or anonymous if we die without Jesus, then we’ve lost everything forever.

As a believer, if you wanted to live a life almost worth living, then you would do so based on your own power and understanding. That is, doing enough to get saved, but never embracing your new nature and stature.

In closing, at the age of 50, I can honestly say I’ve lived a storied life—not perfect by any means, but an interesting life. Of course, I have regrets, but I refuse to let them define me or keep me from sharing what God has revealed to me. So don't waste your life living for retirement. Don't waste your life waiting to die. We all only ever get this one life. Whatever you’ve done up until now does not have to define the time you have remaining.

• Live boldly.

• Live courageously.

• Love generously.

• Refuse to hold on to bitterness and anger.

• Recognize that we can only find true peace and contentment in Jesus Christ.

  
  

As born-again believers, we are called to be in this world, but not of this world. We are the Church (the ekklesia-called out ones). Called out of this world to become the heirs of God through Christ. If heirs, then sons of the Most High God (Romans 8:17).

Conversely, don't let the Bible's lack of details on eternity's future (aside from what we are already told about it) dampen your excitement on the subject. As Paul wrote definitively on the matter in 1 Cor 2:9 “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

As I understand it, even after trillions of years, we will still never find the end of God. I believe that should the Bible have provided any more description of heaven and all its wonders, hardly a Christian would wait to finish their live’s here before heading on to eternal life over yonder.

But so many Christians want to live their lives investing only the bare minimum toward their eternal future. Yes, we are guaranteed our salvation by the sealing of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:11-14, 4:30) and our eternal destination is not by our works. But our works we do because of our salvation, is now what separates the faithful from those who will be saved as though through the fire (1 Cor. 3:15).

We already know the position that the Lord takes on those who are neither hot nor cold, but are lukewarm (see...Letter to the Laodiceans). Thus, the Rapture is the first among many division points separating those who are not born again, from those who are Christian in name only. Certainly, the 70th Week will, with much violence, continue to separate the wheat from the chaff.

If you want to almost live a life worthy of the calling, ignore everything I’ve written and just keep the status quo. However, and I’m speaking to the born-again believers out there:

• Don't waste your life living for yourself. You will never be satisfied (Gal. 2:20).

• Don't waste your life chasing that next milestone at your job. A true promotion happens because it is obvious, not because you're ambitious (Phil. 4:16).

• Don't waste your life chasing that "almighty dollar" which can only provide momentary comforts. Money is nice to have, but it should not be the end state we relentlessly pursue (1 Tim 6:10).

• You were made for much greater things than to be a cog in the wheel of the machine (Eph. 2:10).

• Conversely, don't settle for the status quo. Don’t allow yourself to get stuck in a routine thinking you can coast thru the rest of your life (Luke 12:19-21).

• Don’t accept the bare minimum, make your requests known to God. If they are aligned with God’s plans, they will come to pass (James 4:2-3).

Instead, live boldly for the Lord. When you choose to live boldly, you’ll find the courage to step beyond yourself, because it’s no longer about you—it’s about the One you serve.

Loving with the love of Christ is not a weak or overly permissive sentiment. It’s a love that mirrors the fierce love of a parent for their child or the deep loyalty of a sibling for their kin. It’s unconditional but not compromising. True love ensures that while people feel our care, they understand that love is not the same as acceptance of all choices or actions.

By surrendering bitterness and anger to Christ, we free ourselves from the heavy, toxic weight of those corrosive emotions. His grace liberates us to live with a heart unburdened.

Finally, remember that regardless of your career or daily responsibilities, the highest calling is to fulfill what God has purposed for you in His Kingdom. It’s in pursuing His mission that we find the greatest meaning and impact.

Thus, we soldier through the trials and tribulations of this life, allowing the wear and tear of our lives to break our bodies down over time. Our mortal service is a small price to pay for an eternity spent with our God in glory forever. And regardless of our circumstances, as believers, let us take solace in the reality that this is the closest to hell we will ever be.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18