A Good Night Out? 

You just can't beat it! An evening out with friends down the pub. A few drinks, some good grub, a few more drinks, perhaps a dance at a local club before wondering home singing in the early hours. Or perhaps you're more sophisticated, a meal out at that boutique restaurant followed by the theatre or maybe a concert. Either way, a great time, forgetting the cares and worries of normal life, a bit of escapism.

But then, come the morning it never quite feels as good.  I can't always remember everything that happened, but I do recall people getting a bit short tempered and abusive.  This morning didn't get off to a great start either.  The kids woke me early and got a mouthful back.  Then I argued with my girlfriend about some pretty trivial stuff.  Ok, so it probably wasn't all justified but they should know not to get in my face after a night out.  There have been worse times, you would think that they'd have learnt by now and leave me alone.

But it will happen again, like an endless circle. I will be out tonight and sore tomorrow. There will be shouting and crying all over again. But what else is there to do?  We are all just here, rubbing along taking what we can, but it all does feel a bit pointless at times!

The truth is that you will never understand the point to life unless you understand the true condition of mankind.  Man was created by a perfect God to be perfect and to live in a close relationship with Him.  Man was given just one instruction to obey so that there was a clear distinction between right and wrong.  Man chose to disobey God, broke the rule and our perfection and friendship with God was ruined.  Man went his own way, followed his own desires, becoming more arrogant, selfish and evil.

Our lives now are a reflection of this truth.  The hateful, rebellious, selfish, uncaring attitudes that we see in others and recognise in ourselves characterise our human nature.  Life like this is pointless and stems from our broken relationship with the creator God.  We are far different from how God intended us to be.  Actually, the worsening way we live and act is a punishment itself.  We hurt ourselves and those we should love, making our lives more dissatisfied and miserable.  If we are honest, are there not times when you feel a sort of desperation about life?  Isn't it times when you have acted badly that you feel it most?

God allows us to reach this desperate state so we can realise the mess we are in.  He has a solution.  He can't accept us as we are now, for He is perfect and we are filthy with evil.  Our disobedience against God must be punished, for God's perfection requires justice.  Just like we all expect justice through the law courts when we are badly wronged.  But, showing His perfect love God sent His perfect Son to earth and He was crucified like a common criminal in Jerusalem.  Though He was declared guiltless by Roman officials, Jesus was killed as if He was guilty.  God has declared that the death of Jesus would be counted as the just punishment deserved by us, for any of us that ask for forgiveness.

You were made to have a relationship with God.  That is the point to our existence, our Life.  It is not a mediocre life but we are renewed and can again experience in some part how life should be lived.  We can experience love, joy and peace and show true generosity and patience.  Isn't this so much better that how your life feels today