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“That’s why we have this Scripture text: No one’s ever seen or heard anything like this, Never so much as imagined anything quite like it—What God has arranged for those who love him. But you’ve seen and heard it because God by his Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you.” – 1 Corinthians 2: 9-10 (MSG).
The 1 Corinthians passage is based on Isaiah 54:4 which says, “For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” What’s being said here is that we can’t comprehend by our own physical senses what God has put together for those who love Him. God has always had a plan for His creation which He will accomplish. “But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” (Psalm 33:11)
These words paint the picture of an unimaginable and extraordinary life. You may think this idea applies to heaven but they were penned for our life here and now. Paul tells us in verse 10, “But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” (1 Corinthians 2:10). Ephesians 3:9-10 (MSG) sheds even more light on the subject: “…My task is to bring out in the open and make plain what God, who created all this in the first place, has been doing in secret and behind the scenes all along. Through followers of Jesus like yourselves gathered in churches, this extraordinary plan of God is becoming known and talked about even among the angels!”
The truth is, God not only desires you to live a life full of fulfillment, but He has also equipped you to do so. A remarkable, fulfilling life is not for the select few. It doesn’t matter where you have been or where you are. It doesn’t matter if you own beachfront property or whether you are living in a tent because of Hurricane Michael. You were created for a life that is complete and fulfilling.
But that doesn’t mean that everything will be perfect. Life doesn’t work that way. We may experience success and all the perks that come with it. And like P.T. Barnum we will also experience challenges and trials in our life. Sometimes, things will go south. But that does not mean we can’t experience a extraordinary life. The best way to change the world is to live extraordinarily in what looks like an ordinary existence—to radically love and serve those around us every day, no matter where we are. The way to live a fulfilling life is to find fulfillment in serving God where he puts you.
Discussion questions
- How do you define a fulfilled life?
- What are some of the first steps we can take in living a fulfilled life in Christ? “