This Marvelous Life

ByJim Stephens

Reading: 2 Corinthians 6; Psalm 15

Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us. (2 Corinthians 6:1 MSG)

Paul had labored passionately and diligently to bring the Corinthians to faith in Christ, and he wanted them to mature and become fruitful in their life of faith as a father desires the best for his children. He reminded them of the blessings, gifts, and opportunities they had as part of God’s family, a community of faith, the Body of Christ. Then he made a simple plea – don’t waste it!

I love my life! I must be a good steward of this marvelous life! It’s a privilege and not a burden to diligently steward my gifts, my opportunities, my life. And a part of my stewardship is simply to be thankful for the marvelous life God has given me.

Thank you for my life! I noticed within the past few years (years that have had their share of pain and loss and joy and blessing) I’ve begun saying “I love my life!” And I do! My life has comfort and discomfort, challenges and blessings, pleasure and pain, and it’s far from perfect by some standards. In fact, I’m far from perfect by any standard except the standard of Grace! But I love my life!

Will I be able to say that when things get really tough? Many of my friends have experienced pain and loss to such a much greater degree than I ever have. What if the very worst happens? Will I still be able to say, “Thank you for my life!”? Will I still say, “I love my life!?” Well, friends, I simply don’t know what’s going to happen, or how bad it will hurt when it does! But I love my life now and I’m thankful for my life now and I’ll do my best to keep being thankful and loving my life! Pray for me! I’ll pray for you!

By the way, the Stem Cell Transplant I received in February to treat my cancer is working! I’m in full remission, on maintenance medication to help delay the cancer’s return.Before the transplant, my longevity prognosis was 2 to 5 years. Now, it’s 5 to 10 years and could possibly be more! “Father, I love my life!  Thank you for the second gift of my marvelous life!”

Here’s a two-minute clip from the movie “Joe versus the Volcano” that might be a blessing to you as it is to me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4cqujPMXLI

Prayer:

Father, Thank you for my marvelous life! And thanks for today’s reminder of what a marvelous life you’ve given me. I commit anew to steward my life purposefully and wisely. Thank you for the gift of this marvelous life. I love my life!