If only I had more money... or if life were simpler. If only...
If only__________ (you fill in the blank.)
There has to be a different way.
There IS a different way.
But it's not on either side of the fence.
The reason that we are never satisfied in this life is revealed in the curse of God from the beginning of mankind. God cursed mankind with the dead grass on all sides of the fence, because Adam and Eve disobeyed him. He cursed the ground making it produce thorns and thistles for mankind. We were meant to live and walk and talk with God in the garden of Eden where we would have no shame or dissatisfaction because it was meant to be perfect. God gave them ONE rule, and they broke it. Disobedience brought judgement; it brought death to man and woman.
The curse is written in the third chapter of the first book of the Bible and this is where we first see God's ultimate plan of redemption for mankind. In the very same breath that He was disciplining His children, He promises to redeem them. Actually, he curses the serpent first, then reveals His plan, then he curses Adam and Eve. God says to the serpent, "and I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” This is where we first see Christ revealed to redeem us. Because we can look back, we know that Mary is the woman who gives birth to Christ, who is God. And Jesus crushed Satan at the cross, but it was not easy i.e. striking his heel. While cursing the serpent/Satan, God tells him that he will not win, that he will be crushed. God plans to redeem us.
There. Is. Blessing. In. The. Curse.
Wow. God knew they would disobey and He already had a plan ready to redeem their mistake. But that's not all. When God curses mankind to die, we may think this is a very harsh discipline.
Can you look beyond the surface? Can you see a little deeper? Now that sin had entered into mankind, our minds and bodies had become tainted with selfishness and evilness. So in God's great MERCY, He cursed us to death.... so that he could redeem us to wholeness. Can you see that God is the one doing all the work for our redemption? There's nothing you or I can do to be made holy or righteous. It's only through God's plan, through His Son. We die, so that we can live forever in redeemed bodies and redeemed minds. God paid the price so that we could live holy with Him forever. Therefore we have to DIE to leave sin behind, and live forever in perfection with Him.
There. Is. Mercy. In. Death.
The grass is dead on both sides of the fence because the ground is cursed . If you live for the things of this life, you will never be satisfied. You will only be chasing the wind.
The next best thing will eventually run dry too.
So you say, "Where's the road then?"
Jesus tells the woman at the well, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again (referring to the well water); but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." John 4:14
Jesus IS the road! Jesus IS the way!
Matthew 7:13 says, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way." Don't choose the dead cursed ground, the things of this world. Choose Christ who freely gives you the freedom for eternal life.
Jesus. Is. The. Only. Way.