My family and I have lived in Argentina for the past 3½ years before coming to Deerfield Beach last June. Our house in northern Argentina was close to a large river and we lived three blocks from the beach. Each summer, we would spend two weeks at the shore. You can tell that my family and I love going to the beach. Imagine how excited we were when we arrived in Deerfield Beach and realized that our house was only a short distance from the ocean. I remember how ecstatic we were when we packed up the car and all of our beach toys and headed for a day in the sun. Soon after arriving, I encouraged the boys to play a little soccer in the sand. The lifeguard quickly blew his whistle and said, “No balls allowed on the beach.” We decided to get a little creative and started to throw a Frisbee. “No,” said the lifeguard, “you can’t do that either.” I then went into the water with the boys and we started to wrestle and tackle each other. Once again, “NO.” I was beginning to think Deerfield Beach was boring and we were doomed to a life of sedentary towel sitting.
We left at the end of the day determined to make the best of our situation.
A short time later, my wife came into the house very energized. She said, “I found another part of the beach that we didn’t know about and it’s a lot of fun.” What happened was, after not finding parking at the south side, she ventured north of the pier and found volleyball courts, people playing soccer, surfboards, boogie boards, music and everyone, everywhere, having a great time. She had discovered that we only knew a part of Deerfield beach, and that upon further discovery, there was another section that had all the elements we loved about the beach.
Thinking about this experience, I believe this is exactly how our relationship is with God. We think God is all about “No,” when, in reality, he’s all about “live.” John 10:10 says this, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Christ came so we could have a full and blessed life. We, like my family and I, go to the beach on the south side of the pier and have expectations of what we can do. We then get frustrated because life is not all we had planned and hoped. When all we have to do is head to the north side of the pier and find all the things we love about the beach. Life with Christ is exactly like that. We insist on meeting Jesus on our terms and then we blame Him because our life is not fulfilling. If we are willing to venture north of the pier and meet Jesus on his terms, then we will find an abundant and fulfilling life.
Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” Life in Christ is not about rules and our ability to follow them. Christ wants to give to you, help you carry your burdens, give you rest and help you experience a full and abundant life. Finding an abundant life in Christ is as easy as taking a step in the right direction. He will open up for you a whole new world you never imagined possible.
Pastor Deron Peterson is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Deerfield Beach.
