Life
The life God gives us is different to simply existing on earth. He gives abundant life (Jn 10:10), eternal life (Jn 11:25-26) and even supplies the power to live a new life! (Rom 6:14, 22) The Duracell advert reminds us of the ‘superiority’ of Duracell batteries because ‘no ordinary battery looks like it; no ordinary battery lasts like it.‘ The life God freely offers us is far superior to any Duracell battery!
Life is about more than existence; it’s about more than marking time on earth and then fading away into oblivion. Life is about more than biology or breathing; it’s about the vibrancy and creativity that God brings through His very presence.
Light
Life is described metaphorically as light in many parts of the Bible and is often contrasted with darkness to emphasise the purity of God in comparison to the evil in the world and of the enemy. John tells us ‘God is light; in him there is no darkness at all’ (1 Jn 1:5) and this inevitably must overflow into our relationships (see 1 Jn 1:6-7, 1 Jn 2:9-10). God is radiant with light (Ps 79:4); He ‘wraps himself in light as with a garment.’ (Ps 104:2) We have to be willing to open the doors of our hearts to allow God’s light access to every dark corner, transforming us from the inside out.
Light is about more than the absence of darkness; it’s more than the physicists can describe. Light is the brilliance of God, the dazzling sight of His presence which exposes our failings, shows us our shortcomings, welcomes us into His presence nonetheless, cleanses and guides us in our daily living.
Love
To be committed daily to loving others with the selflessness and kindness that Jesus demonstrates is a lot to ask. Nonetheless, this is the challenge that we face daily, a challenge that can only be met as we are rooted and established in God’s love (Eph 3:17-18) so that we can grasp how high and wide and long and deep is the love of God and to know this love that surpasses knowledge. (Eph 3:19-20) Love is the heart behind everything God is and does and needs to be the heart behind everything we are and do.