Have you ever had a goal in your life, and when you reached it, you said to yourself, “I’m not sure that was worth it,” or perhaps, “It’s not really how I thought it would be”?
On the other hand, did you ever choose to do something and afterwards thought, “I thought this would be good, but it’s far better than I ever thought it would be”? Think how satisfying and good it would be to have given your whole life to something and think like that afterwards! People that have given themselves wholeheartedly to be Jesus’ disciples can definitely say this at the end of their lives.
After Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he said: “Lord what do you want me to do?” Acts 9:3-6. He later gave this testimony about the life he had chosen: “To him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or even think of …” Ephesians 3:20 (GNT).
Peter was one of the four fishermen who “immediately left their nets” (Mark 1:16-20) when Jesus called them, and he writes: “God's power has given us everything we need to lead a godly life. All of that has come to us because we know the One who chose us. He chose us because of his own glory and goodness. He has also given us his very great and valuable promises. He did it so you could share in his nature. He also did it so you could escape from the evil in the world. That evil is caused by sinful longings.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIRV).
Jude says the following at the end of his letter: “To him who is able to keep you from falling and to bring you faultless and joyful before his glorious presence …” Jude 1:24-25 (GNT).
These and many others who completely gave up what they could have been in this world to follow Jesus, were not sorry for the choice that they made.
Many people want a full and happy life like this, but do not experience it. In Isaiah 55:1-2 (NCV) God tells us how to get this life: “All you who are thirsty, come and drink. Those of you who do not have money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend your money on something that is not real food? Why work for something that doesn't really satisfy you? Listen closely to me, and you will eat what is good; your soul will enjoy the rich food that satisfies.”
The chapter goes on to encourage us to seek the Lord and listen to His word. “Rain and snow fall from the sky and don't return without watering the ground. They cause the plants to sprout and grow, making seeds for the farmer and bread for the people. The same thing is true of the words I speak. They will not return to me empty. They make the things happen that I want to happen, and they succeed in doing what I send them to do. So you will go out with joy and be led out in peace …” Isaiah 55:10-12 (NCV).
Jesus told the Samaritan woman He met at the well: “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” John 4:13-14 (NLT). This, we could say, is a fulfilment of what Isaiah said about Jesus: “… He will complete the things the LORD wants him to do. After his soul suffers many things, he will see life and be satisfied.” Isaiah 53:10-11 (NCV).
In the same way, Jesus will satisfy anyone who will follow in His footsteps: “My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 (NLT). If we choose to be His disciples, we’ll have a blessed life while we are on the earth and an even happier eternity afterwards.
With such examples and promises given to us, is it not wise to “seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near”? Isaiah 55:6.