On the mind of the Rev. Adrian Dannhauser

Nov 11, 2022

“Take hold of the life that really is life.” (1 Tim. 6:19).

I had never thought much about this Bible verse until a couple of years ago, when I saw it at the bottom of Deacon Denise’s email signature block. Now I treat this little gem of Scripture as words to live by.

We often aspire to the “good life” — looking good, feeling good, having the goods. But there is a higher level of living than simply the good life. It’s the better life. It’s the life that really is life. In fact, no other life compares.

When Jesus asks the twelve if they wish to leave him, Peter responds, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68).

There is truly no place to go and no other life to choose but the one with Christ at the center. We’ve all chased things that satisfy us in the moment but leave us lacking in the end. We’ve all tried to go it alone rather than going with God. But at the end of the day, we come up empty if we don’t seek God’s Spirit to fill us.

In contrast, the more we look for God, the more we find ourselves. And the more we give ourselves to God, the richer our lives become. It’s no surprise, then, that taking hold of life involves giving.

Just look at the first part of that sentence from 1 Timothy: “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” (1 Timothy 6:18-19).

One very tangible way we give to Christ is by giving to his body, the church. This Sunday is Commitment Sunday, when we commit ourselves and a portion of our income to help build God’s kingdom through the ministries of Incarnation. I hope you will join me in pledging to support our parish in 2023.

Take hold of the life that really is life. Take hold of our life together in Christ. Take hold of God, because God has taken hold of you.

Adrian+