The Ride

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. (John 10:9-11 ESV).

When Jesus taught that He was the source of life, He was often misunderstood. The following story told by Jimmy D. Brown is a wonderful illustration of the truth that Jesus can and will give us abundant life.

When I was about twelve years old my dad took a friend and I to the carnival. We purchased an armband and entered the gates. We were awestruck at all of the blinking lights, the throng of people, the voices disappearing into the night air, and, most of all, the numerous rides. We heard the shrieks of joy from those who were riding on the various rides in the carnival that night. Their faces were lit up much like the bright lights and you could see grins so wide that it seemed their faces would split open from their excitement. As I watched them, I could imagine the feeling of lightness in their stomachs as they were rocked to and fro. I could almost feel the breath being suddenly thrust out of their lungs as they lurched from side to side. It looked like so much fun! We walked on. Everyone that we approached seemed to be enjoying themselves greatly. Each ride that we came to looked more exciting than the previous one. The people aboard seemed to be having the time of their lives. The whole scene looked so inviting! And, yet, we had no money. My dad had paid for the armbands and told us we were on our own. Without any money, we were left to watch everyone else enjoy themselves. The more we saw everyone else having a great time, the more we wished we were able to purchase tickets in order that we might ride the rides. We were standing around, miserable, wishing my father would come and get us out of that place, when we heard him say to us, "Hey, you two. What are you doing?" "We are just watching these people on the rides," I replied. "Why aren't you riding any of them," my father asked. "We don't have any money to buy tickets," I continued. "Son, don't you know that the rides are included in the price that I already paid. Your armband gets you access to all of the rides." We were stunned. We had no idea that we could have been enjoying the carnival to its fullest extent by just taking advantage of what my father had given us.

Sadly, there are many Christians like the two boys in the story. They walk around miserable, seeing others at peace, seeing others filled with joy, seeing others content and free. They are miserable as they watch others full of assurance and victory and blessing. Oh, it all looks so inviting, but they just don't see how they can pay for it. They stand around wishing their Father would come and get them out of this place. They haven’t realized that Jesus did more than just save them. He gives us a life of blessing. He did more than just reserve us a place in Heaven; He gave us a wonderful, anointed life here on earth. Many Christians walk around with a brightly colored spiritual armband on, never realizing that it gives them access to all of the blessings that Jesus Christ offers. They're at the carnival... but they're not riding any rides. Jesus died to give you life... abundant life. He promises you peace, joy, contentment, assurance, victory and confidence. Don't be satisfied to simply wear your armband... get on the ride!