WHAT ARE MY REASONS FOR WANTING TO GO ON LIVING?

Recently, Dotty and I attended a Marriage Encounter (www.wwme.org) weekend. Toward the end of the sessions, the husbands and wives were to spend an hour writing a letter to their spouse and then read their letters to each other. The letter would be in response to nine questions that were listed on a sheet of paper. This sheet opened in such a way that only question #1 was visible at first. The other questions were to be looked at only after #1 was answered. Here is my response to #1. After I read it to Dotty, she thought it would be helpful to others.

Question #1 – What are my reasons for wanting to go on living?

Question #1 is in a sense easy to answer, but also is very profound. My only reason for continuing to live is Jesus Christ. He is my Life, He is my Alpha and Omega, He is everything. Without Him I can do nothing; with Him I can face all things. Jesus is my wisdom, my redemption, my sanctification, my glorification – and anything else there is. As Paul said, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” This paragraph could go on without end.

And this Jesus has made us one – so that together we have one reason to continue living – Jesus Christ.

I’m so thankful that you and I are very clear on this point – this point on which everything hangs. Sadly, many people and couples are muddied in this area.

So we get to be two clay jars through whom Jesus is expressing Himself – together. We have the privilege of continuing the ministry Christ began on earth. It is a joy to do the work of the Lord with you as a partner.

The question is, What are my reasons for wanting to go on living? I feel that the truth is, it must be put in the singular, not plural. You and I have one reason to go on living – our Lord Jesus Christ. Out of that one reason everything else flows – including our love for one another in marriage and all of life.

Since we are of one mind concerning why we go on living, then we must prayerfully work out the nuts and bolts of daily life. Thus a huge part of Him being our reason for living is our relationship together as a picture of Christ and His ekklesia.

I’m so thankful that my purpose and your purpose for continuing in life is Jesus Christ. All the promises of God are “Yes” and “Amen” in Him. I’m so thankful that you and I together can pursue life in Jesus on earth. “To go on living” is Christ. There is just nothing else to say! – Jon Zens, November 20, 2011

Jon & Dotty at NC Beach 2010