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Your New Life -
Concern and Love

While there are some people who would say they don't believe in God, most of us have at least a vague sense that there is some power or being beyond ourselves. We may not be sure who or what that is, but deep inside we long to find someone or something to bring meaning and purpose to the craziness of life.

The French philosopher Pascal said that every person has a "God-shaped vacuum"—a place or an emptiness in our lives that only God can fill. As human beings we try to fill that void with something—anything—that will give us meaning and contentment. Some try to fill it with:

	Success—in school or business or society or politics or other activities
	Power—controlling one's own destiny without being dependent or interdependent on others
	Human relationships—a "significant other" or family or close friends
	Money or possessions—hasn't someone said, "The one who dies with the most 'toys' wins"?
	Intimate sexual relations—with one person or with many
	Religion or superstition—performing certain rituals or practices over and over, as if doing them would have some magical effect upon life
	Or countless other personal pursuits to try to find peace and purpose in life.

While these pursuits may bring a sense of satisfaction for a time, ultimately they will not fill that vacuum that God intended to fill. Only a relationship with God can answer our questions about life and meaning and purpose. Only God can fill the emptiness and settle the restlessness that is buried deep inside.

The good news is the Bible tells us that God loves us and wants to have a personal relationship with us. God is not content to be "somewhere out there" or the "ultimate watch-maker" who set the world in motion and then ignores it or a spoil-sport who wants to make life miserable for us.

God cares about us and loves us so much that God did something very special to assure having a relationship with us: God became a human being, the person we know as Jesus. In Jesus we see the depth of God's love for us.

Here's how the Bible puts it:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son [Jesus], so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved [reconciled] through him" (John 3:16-17).

Can you accept that? Be assured that God loves you and wants to have a relationship with you that is personal and intimate and life transforming!

But there's more . . .

All Bible passages taken from the New Revised Standard Version. This presentation written by Ronald W. Waters and freely adapted from "A Concise Reference for the Ministry of Evangelism" developed by the Commission on Home Ministries of the General Conference Mennonite Church and Mennonite Board of Congregational Ministries of the Mennonite Church.

Your New Life - Concern and Love

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Your New Life -
Concern and Love