Your Best Life Now!

Fact: God never promised us an easy life. He never promised us earthly prosperity or good health or even
happiness. At least, not in this world, as it is now.

A whole lot of Christians are looking for God to provide for them an enriched earthly existence, free from the burden of debt. In excellent health, with a perfect family and 2.5 kids and maybe a dog. A whole lot of Christians believe they can have all their materialist dreams come true, and all they have to do is think positive. Think -- no, believe -- prosperity into existence, and God will come out of His lamp, nod His head, and grant your wishes. After all, Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly, right?

Okay, sure. But I fear there may be some confusion here. Life doesn't mean prosperity. Abundance doesn't mean prosperity. An abundant life is one lived in Christ. An abundant life is a life lived in service to the Creator. Not a life of health, wealth, and happiness.

Just ask the Disciples. They moved around place to place, gave up everything to follow Christ and survived on the good will of fellow believers. All but two were ultimately martyred.

Or, go straight to the source and see what Jesus had to say. Sure, He said something about "abundant life." But He also said, "Blessed are those who mourn --" because there will be mourning -- "for they shall be comforted." 

He said, "blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake --" persecution! That doesn't sound an awful lot like health and wealth -- "for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven."

Paul talked about his health and wealth thanks to following Christ: 

From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? (2 Corinthians 11:24-29)

Man. Talk about your "Best Life Now." 

... maybe he just didn't have enough faith...  

But praise God, because our reward is Heaven. Our reward is a life full of Christ and His great love and mercy. Our reward is an eternity by the side of our creator. I'll take that over The Eternal Genie any day.