A Better Way to Live

A Better Way to Live

Key Bible Verse: Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God. (Hebrews 9:14, The message) Dig Deeper: Hebrews 9:1-15

Aladdin and I were both driven to chase what our hearts were set on catching. We both performed before a shouting crowd, some of whom were personally invested in the outcome of our race. His supporters were gamblers who laid down bets with high hopes of financial gain, while mine were parents, teachers, preachers, relatives, and friends with the noblest of intentions who pointed me in the right direction and were hoping that I would remain on the "straight and narrow."

Our idle moments were often spent dreaming of the day when we sank our teeth into the prize. However, the prize eventually proved fraudulent. Even the crowd's approval, which we also enjoyed, proved to be less than enough to satisfy our deepest longing.

Today, just like Aladdin, I'm discovering that there's a far better way to live. Like him, I'm realizing that what I've always longed for actually exists. There is a more nurturing way to live than my religion provided—[surrendering my heart to the unconditional love of Christ]. It's not as neatly arranged or as clearly marked as a circular racetrack, and I can't trust the crowd's response to determine whether I'm performing well. Though it's not safe and predictable, it is a life worth living.

—Fil Anderson in Breaking the Rules

My Response: I will reflect on what it means to live life with a surrendered heart.

Thought to Apply: Pride wants to earn divine acceptance; humility simply believes it.—Bob Laforge (writer)

Adapted from Breaking the Rules (InterVarsity Press, 2010) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher.

Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine.