Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

 

“I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

John 10:10 (NKJV)

 

It’s a bit overcast outside my window this morning as my bride, Lynda, has just driven off with our two Granddaughters, Hannah and Ellie Kate, to return them to Tampa.  The gray cloud cover has pretty well blocked the morning sunshine, even though recollections from my better moments remind me that somewhere up there it is waiting to break through into my day. 

But, not now.  I’m having a bit of trouble imagining that this morning.

Those two precious gifts were with us since Thursday with every night after that dedicated to watching a movie produced by Walden Media.  Positions and blankets on the couch and overstuffed chairs were secured, while trays full of drinks, “fudge-stickles” (Ellie’s favorite), chocolate ice cream (Hannah’s choice) and Granddaddy’s world-famous popcorn (everybody’s favorite) were spread out for all to enjoy.  Last night was the second viewing of “Bridge to Terabithia.”

One of our favorite songs from the movie—a movie which all the world should see—offers this reminder…

 

“Have you ever seen the sky, so beautiful, colorful, wide and wonderful,

 Have you ever felt the sunshine, so brilliantly raining down over you and me,

 Have you ever wanted more, wanted more…

                 You’ve got to keep your mind wide-open, all the possibilities…

You’ve got to live with your eyes open, believe in what you see.”

 

            “Bridge to Terabithia” is a movie of hope, of the wonder and power of imagination, and the warm safe place of true friendship.  It’s a movie for “children of all ages” for all the days before them.  And as much as there is in the movie—in scene-after-scene and message-after-message—that will over encouragement for the living of each day, there is one line I want to raise for you to cling to…

 

“You’ve got to keep your mind wide-open, all the possibilities.”

 

There it is.  The key to open the door to the rest of your life.   

“You’ve got to keep your mind wide-open, all the possibilities.”

It’s the bridge to the abundant life Christ speaks of in the verse of scripture set out above.  An abundance of life which paints for all of us the life God intended for us to live each day.  A life of depth and substance for today, and a life that is long and lasting and sustained not just for today but throughout eternity. 

It’s a life that’s not just as great as it can be—or as wonderful as we can imagine—but it’s an abundance of life beyond anything that we can imagine!  A bit like what the two main characters in the movie—Leslie and Jess—saw from the top of a tree—the kingdom of Terabithia!  And they saw it only when their minds were wide-open.  Only when their minds were wide-open to all the possibilities—beyond anything they have ever experienced.

Has it been awhile since you looked at life that way?  Maybe you’ve had a morning like I had today—waving goodbye to precious people.  When was the last time—in the midst of whatever is going on in your life—that you were wide-open to all the possibilities that lay before you?  Not just the ones you can think of, but all of the possibilities that may never yet have crossed your mind.  When was the last time you reflected on the possibility that the abundant life God planned for you and for me, was not only beyond anything wonderful we may have already experienced or which we could imagine—but was actually beyond our wildest imaginations?

Well, if you haven’t yet reflected upon that possibility—why not start today?

Why not indeed!

Keep your mind wide-open…to all the possibilities.

It’s the key to unlocking the door to the abundant life God intended for us and promised us…it’s the bridge to the life beyond anything we could ever imagine.  Maybe even beyond the kingdom of Terabithia—and all the way to the Kingdom of God!

Keep your mind wide-open for all the possibilities…for today, tomorrow and everyday throughout eternity. 

It’s where the abundant life Christ promised us will be found.

 

                                                                        In His Name—Scott