Imagine a house full of feasting, but its residents have no peace because of strife and fights. That is a life without Him. Imagine running vigorously, yet always missing your mark because your aim is off and your purpose is weak. That is a life without Him. Imagine Filling your life with everything you feel will bring you happiness, but it feels like you’re fetching water from a broken fountain. That is life without Him.

I often wonder – what causes people to walk away from God? The following usually come to mind:

Tribulations
“When tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, those who have no root in themselves, immediately they fall away.”

The deceitfulness of riches
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Entangled and overcome by sin
“For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”

Offenses
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.”

Root of bitterness
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

The list, you can imagine, is much longer than the above, and the potential for spiritual shipwreck is very real. That’s why the Hebrews writer warned his audience with much urgency. I also understand we have an enemy who’s bent on using everything in his tricky book to lead us away from Christ. The deceptions and temptations to entice and pull us away from Christ abound greatly. They’re real – and we know it.

But I think those who walk away from Christ, for whatever reason, have walked away from something very essential. A Savior’s love. Like my good friend Ron Freise said a few days ago, “We lose our first love when we lose sight of our first love’s love for us.”

They’ve forgotten their experience of being born from above -being born with an incorruptible seed. They have forgotten that they were once enlightened, have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. That He has left an indelible mark on their lives.

I am tempted to ask the question, why did the Israelites constantly, time after time turn away from this all-sufficient, all-powerful God to useless idols and so-called gods; after seen Him miraculously deliver them and provide for them over and over again?

But I am reminded that I also do the same.

How deceived can I be to think I can live without Him? How deceived can I be to even fathom making decisions, doing ministry, raising kids, staying married, doing life without Him? How foolish is it for me to think I can achieve anything, accomplish anything create anything without the touch of His hand?

For I live and move and have my being in Him. And He alone holds the words of eternal life. Where can I go beyond His reach? Who can compare to Him? Like the song writer said:

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold

I’d rather be his than have riches untold

I’d rather have Jesus than houses or land

Yes I’d rather be led by his nail pierced hands

Than to be the king of a best domain and beheld in sins dread sway

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today

My Savior’s love is better, richer, purer, higher, greater and beyond measure. The applause of men and worldwide fame both pale in comparison. I cannot imagine life without Him. His plan for me is to have a rich, full and abundant life. .

Like a preacher man so eloquently puts it – this abundant life is “sufficient in quantity and superior in quality.”
That, I cannot afford to trade in for anything else.