We all carry a picture in our minds of what life should be.
For some, it’s a sprawling mansion on a hill, bank accounts overflowing with millions, and every desire within reach.
For others, it’s simpler—a cozy two-story home, a white picket fence, and a loving family to share it with.
Still others envision a life of comfort and freedom, with just enough resources to live on their own terms.
Every now and then, we catch a glimpse of that ideal, a fleeting moment where we sigh and say, “Now this is the life.”
But how often do we actually live the life we’ve imagined? And for those rare few who do, does it ever truly measure up to the dream?
For many of us, the life we are living feels like a letdown. It is not the life we imagined, and the gap between our reality and our dreams breeds frustration. To cope, we tell ourselves this is just how life is supposed to be and that life will always be a grind. We clench our fists, grit our teeth, and mutter, “Life is hard. It is full of disappointments and struggle. That’s just the way it is.”
There is some truth in this thought—hardship is real—but I can’t help but wonder if that mindset sets us up to miss something bigger, something better: the life God actually created us to experience.
I’m not saying a life with God erases difficulties. Struggles will always be part of the journey.
Imagine for a moment: What if there’s a kind of life that doesn’t just endure those challenges, but actually redeems them?
The Apostle John offers us an insight into what a life with God is like:
“So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us” (1 John 2:24-25, NLT).
Two crucial truths stand out in this passage, and they’re as relevant today as they were two millennia ago.
First: Life flows from obedience. Do you want to experience the life God has for you? It starts with following Jesus. Real life isn’t unlocked by believing the right doctrines or checking spiritual boxes—it’s discovered in trusting Jesus. Loving God, loving our neighbors, serving sacrificially, and giving generously—these aren’t just nice ideas. This is what true life looks like. Bible studies and church gatherings are vital, but they’re only the beginning. The life God promises takes shape when we take what we’ve learned and put it into practice.
Second: Life is fellowship with God. Without Jesus—and by extension, without the Father—true life remains out of reach. It’s in abiding with Him that we find it. John ties fellowship directly to obedience. How we live determines whether we’re walking with God or drifting away. Make the decision align your life with Scripture, and you’ll find yourself in step with your Creator. If you choose to chase selfish desires, and you’ll stumble into emptiness.
John calls this type of life “eternal life.” The idea of “eternal life” deserves a closer look. Too often, we reduce “eternal” to a matter of time—life that stretches on forever. A long life isn’t inherently good. A mediocre or miserable life isn’t made wonderful simply by adding time to it. I believe “eternal life” isn’t just about duration—it’s about quality. It’s the richest, fullest, most meaningful life possible, and it’s only found in relationship with God.
I revised this post from one I wrote in 2006, nearly two decades ago, and I’m struck by how timeless and universal this tension feels. We are still dreaming of “the good life,” still experiencing the disappointment caused by sin, and still overlooking the redeemed life God has for his people.
But God’s invitation hasn’t changed. The life He offers—true, redeemed, eternal—is still ours to step into. It’s not a fantasy on a hill or a fenced-in ideal. It’s a reality rooted in obedience and relationship, ready to transform even our hardest days.
So, what’s your picture of life? And how does it stack up to the one God’s holding out to you?
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