I know a family who invited a friendly, talented but homeless friend to live with them for free for four months. They bought him a reliable used car and gave him a couple thousand dollars to give him a sense of freedom while offering him multiple job opportunities and connections. Their friend took the cash and the car but declined every chance for work and no-showed most of the connection opportunities. After four months of talking, persuasion and exasperated effort,the family asked him to take his car and leave. The friend refused to be helped.

Jesus told a similar story about a rich man who died and went to hell, while a poor beggar named Lazarus died and went to heaven. Jesus explained how the rich man in hell started to beg Abraham, “‘Please send Lazarus to my father’s house for I have five brothers – in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment. . . because if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’ But Abraham said, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” (Luke 16:27-31). Yes, God knows that some people refuse to be helped.

Both of these stories speak to our responsibility – and our choice – to choose to seek abundant living or not. . .  Yes, we have the freedom to choose true life, or not.  To choose to spend time with God or not.   To seek God – or not. To be helped or to refuse to be helped by God.

Jesus said, “narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Mt7:14NIV)  The key to finding life is you have to look for it. You have to spend time at it, work for it, and you must want God. So the question today is do you want Jesus to help you find true life?

Do you want him to truly be the Lord of your life? If so, would you please say this prayer with me:

“Dear Father, I know I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer.

I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”