Cody's Corner: We don't know what's good for us

In John 10:10, we read: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

We do not always know what is good for us, do we? With Halloween around the corner, it reminds me of life lessons learned from experience.

As a kid, I remember the joy of getting dressed up and getting candy from my neighbors in the countryside. I remember getting home and being so excited to dump out my overflowing container to count and see all of the different candies. My brother and I would trade ones we did not like for ones we did; then, we would eat as much as our parents would let us – and eat more if we could get away with it.

One year I will never forget was when I got to eat as much as I wanted. I remember being so happy and feeling so good. Then came the crash. The fun and games came to a sudden stop, and headaches and stomachaches reigned supreme.

What seemed like being on top of the world was suddenly and irrevocably replaced with inescapable sickness and feeling like my stomach was certainly going to die. To make matters worse, my parents had little sympathy for me, reminding me of all the times they had warned me not to eat so much candy. I did not want to hear the “I told you so” speech at that time.

This seems to be the way it is with the Christian life as well. Too often we have been told what is good for us and what is not good for us. We can learn from God’s Word what He says is right, and what He warns us to not do. Unfortunately, like little kids with candy, we have trouble stopping ourselves from giving into temptation or deliberately gorging ourselves on sin.

We cry, squirm, and suffer from such things, but usually do not stop eating the candy. As kids, we blame our parents, the candy, or anyone but ourselves for the trouble we are in. As adults, we should see things more clearly. But again, we usually blame society, others, our past, or something else for why we are in the mess we are in.

Nowadays, it is easy to blame COVID-19, civil unrest, government leadership, or the opposite political party for all of the problems in the country. What makes matters worse is that our society has gotten to the point where we will not even hear any viewpoints that counter our own.

I try to see everything through Biblical glasses so to speak. When I look at all of the problems in my own life, in our country’s life, and across the world, I want to do something. I am tired of falling for his lies, manipulation, and his leading of so many people down paths to destruction.

Too often nowadays, people go willingly – or go unwarned and unafraid – down these paths. Evil and wrong ways of living are celebrated, which can be extremely disheartening. This all points to the enemy seeming to have won the day; it seems to say that we Christians should just give up and do nothing.

We seem to have forgotten who is on our side. We seem to have forgotten the power that lives within us. Have we forgotten that God’s truth is more powerful than any lie?

When Jesus comes on the scene in the verse above, He says He brings life. He brings abundant life, overflowing life, and life to the full. Do you believe it?

Oh, Christian or unbeliever, if only you knew what following Jesus, what living by the word of God, and what obeying the commandments of the maker of heaven and earth could do for your life!

You will experience life in abundance. You will feel love as you have never felt it. You will be overflowing with peace, joy, and hope so much so that other people will ask you why you are the way you are. Do not let the troubles of this world get you down. Jesus is the one who has overcome this world.

If you do not believe me, then answer these questions. Is a committed, trusting, and loving relationship better than jumping from relationship to relationship? Has living for yourself brought any real satisfaction in your life? Does living with constant regret, pain, or shame really feel like living? Are you happy with more “candy” in your life, or does that happiness leave shortly after you get the next best thing?

I beg you to stop chasing after everything that will never bring you any true joy, peace, or love. Turn to the One that brings it with Him. His name is Jesus Christ, the savior of the world. He will show you the path to true life, and life abundant.

No amount of money, pleasure, or accomplishments will compare to what Jesus so graciously gives. Our savior will show you that He is bigger than your emotions, can handle anything you have to throw at Him, and will ALWAYS tell you the truth. This is just who He is.

If you already know all of this, then share it with someone else. God probably put someone on your heart right now. Imagine what could happen in that person’s life if they stopped living for “candy.” Imagine what could happen if they broke the cycle of “stomach aches” and regret. It could be an abundant life, which is something they have never experienced.