The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
- John 10:10

Is Jesus a thief?

He didn’t come to steal your life, your happiness, or your joy. He didn’t come to kill your passions or destroy your relationships. And, yet, he does have that reputation.

The legendary poet William Joel once said that he’d rather “Laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints, ‘cuz sinners are much more fun.” And as much as we hate to admit it, sometimes he’s right.

All too often followers of Jesus treat his leadership as a burden to endure instead of a blessing to celebrate. We act as if he’s packed all of the fun in life into a big, red bag; stuffed it up a chimney; and carried it off to his mountain cave … never to be seen again. We slip into treating Jesus like the Grinch and become little-Grinches ourselves.

But Jesus came that we all might have life, and life to the full. Full life, did you hear that? Overflowing, bubbling over, maxed out, full-volume, full life. That’s what he wants for us and that’s what he has to offer us.

Full life doesn’t mean that we won’t have pain, only that we’ll have joy even in the midst of the darkest circumstances. We’ll be so full of life that even the darkness can’t overcome us.

One way to tap into this full life that Jesus offers and promises us is to try asking for it. How many of those Grinch-faces, crying saints have never even asked the Lord to give him what he promised to give?

Try praying a simple prayer like this:

Jesus, I’m following you. I trust you. You said that you came that we might have life and have it to the full. I want to experience that full life today. Please help me!