It’s a Wonderful Life

One of the reasons that the movie; “It’s a Wonderful Life” is such a favorite for some many people is because we can relate to the story. We too, like George Bailey, want to know; really know that our life makes a difference to those around us. We want to believe that it we hadn’t lived, the world as we know it would be different.  

We long, passionately, to deeply know and believe the words of Clarence in the movie; “Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”

And yet, for many of us, we simply cannot accept the truth of the message of the film; EACH OF US MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN THIS WORLD! And so, we too, like George Bailey, struggle to find any meaning and purpose in our lives and cry out:

“God... God... Dear Father in Heaven, I'm not a praying man, but if you're up there and you can hear me, show me the way. I'm at the end of my rope. Show me the way, God.”

And so, we want to give up; to pull the plug, to cash in our chips; to stop living because we don’t see our lives connected with a master plan. That is the problem and the solution to living a wonderful life.  

And we will miss it if we buy into the false belief system that everything revolves around ‘me’ (egocentric narcissists) or the false belief that each individual life doesn’t make any difference.

What George Bailey saw, but didn’t really get, is that our lives become wonderful not because of us and what we do, but because of the One who made us and has a purpose for our lives.

YES George, God is there and He DOES hear us when we call out to Him, and He DOES show us the way when we ask.

This really struck home with me recently when I was holding my granddaughter Fallon rocking her to sleep (she is thirteen months old at the time of this writing). Just a note; Fallon was staying at our house and was in an “I-only-want-grandpa” time of life. I was holding her trying to get her to sleep as she hung tightly to me; clinging firmly to one of my fingers with her whole hand. 

In my mind I flashed back to a time when life wasn’t making sense to me and I saw no hope for my circumstance ever changing. I was in such a depressed state of mind that I couldn’t drive over bridges without pondering the thought of pulling over and jumping off to end it all.

If I had not pressed through those thoughts in the past, not only would I not have had the chance to hold this precious one whom I love so very deeply, but I would not have been there to be a source of comfort for her.  From there my mind was filled with gratefulness (and my eyes with tears) as I pondered all of the joys and experiences that I had from spending time with my own children and wife and my grandson Emmett (who is only four months old at this writing) whom I also love so very deeply.

So many cards and emails and letters have come to me describing how the intersection of my life with theirs has had a positive impact. So many experiences I would have missed; so many things simply would not have gotten done if I had chosen not to go on during that time of deep discouragement. You see, I really did have a wonderful life.

Do you see yourself as part of the plan of God for this world? Do you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made; a wonderful work of God created for good works? You too can live a wonderful life (not perfect) but still awesome, wondrous, miraculous, prodigious, astonishing, amazing, astounding, phenomenal, unique, curious, and even strange.

All it takes is surrendering your life to Jesus Christ to be both your Savior (receiving Him as the only One who can provide forgiveness for your sins) and your Lord (bowing before Him as the only One who has the right to direct your steps and plan for your life).

You can do that right now where you are.

The Bible tells us “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13 NKJV)

Need further help: www.RiverHopeMinistries.com

 “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” (Psalm 139:14 NKJV)