“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.”
– Henry David Thoreau
“I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
– Jesus
For many, Thoreau’s “desperation” strikes close to home. Desperation has many sources. Abuse. Neglect. A broken heart.
Sometimes, desperation comes from a craving. There is dangerous comfort found in unhealthy substances, habits or relationships.
There is the desperation of the modern industrialized world.
Technology replaces face to face relationships with shallow, digital interaction. Efficiency has led us to forget what it means to be human.
Jesus’ Desperate Life
Jesus was no stranger to desperation. He was mired in poverty, pain and suffering from birth.
Jesus was born to an unwed teenager and an embarrassed step-father. His people were a persecuted minority in the occupied territory. He slaved away as a day laborer in a rough city.
When Jesus’ ministry began, his family rejected him. Desperate people – starving, sick and dying – surrounded him. His intimate friends betrayed him.
Then there’s crucifixion: a bloodcurdling propaganda piece for an unjust Empire, and a curse to his people.
When Jesus says, “I’ve come that they may have life, and have it abundantly” there are two possible conclusions:
- The abundant life that Jesus promised is a lie.
- Or, Jesus has a fundamentally different approach to life than the masses of quiet desperation.
A Story of Transformation
Life Model Works firmly believes that Jesus’ promise is true. We can all learn to thrive, no matter how desperate our situation. Consider Jessica’s story:
When I fled from my abusive husband, I was devastated, confused and traumatized. Learning about the Life Model not only healed me, but possibly saved me from even further trauma and heartache as I ventured through the divorce process.
It has helped me to turn myself around and cultivate joy and hope in my life. I am eternally grateful for the teaching and the impact this has had on my life!
Life Model Works is committed to helping the Jessicas of our world. We do this by developing materials and teaching the skills needed for a thriving life.
This is our dream: Joyful Christian. Joyful Church. Transformed World.
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