“The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25).
In Selling Water by the River, Shane Hipps presents an interesting discussion of the apparent paradox in John 12:25. Christian or otherwise, this is a lesson in “well-centered” living for anyone. It gets to the heart of the Spiritual dimension of wellness. This is the notion that what you put first in life will have a dramatic effect on the fullness of life that you receive.
Hipps uses an analogy of binary code—I.e., 1 and 0. The value of numbers 1 and 0 depend on their sequence. Put a 0 in front of a 1, the value of 1 does not change—it is still 1, e.g., 01 is 1. However, if you put the 0 after the 1, it magnifies the 1—e.g., 10, 100,…100000000, etc. This is the power and significance of Spiritual well-centeredness. Realizing that we are not the one is the foundation to adding fullness to life.
What, then, is the 1? To the Christian it is the “Kingdom of God”—as in “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33, NIV). Note: I do not subscribe to a “prosperity gospel”. I don’t believe that this scripture tells us that we will prosper as a return on our faith. Instead, I believe that it speaks to the fullness of life that comes in making the Kingdom the 1. I believe this is the heart of “I am third” (My God is first, my family and friends are second, and I am third—Gale Sayers, I am Third). I believe this is at the heart of being Spiritually “well-centered”. The 1 is, above all the recognition that I am not number one. Begin with this and all other blessings in life can be added.
If we put ourselves first—choose to put work, pleasure, wealth, celebrity, etc. before others—life is shallow and unfulfilling. Thus, is the paradox of life. Thus, is why so many who seemingly “have it all” are miserable, yet so many who seemingly “have nothing” are so happy.
Carpe momento!