“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4‬:‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Now that I am “old” (at least compared with my young nieces and nephews), there are a lot of things I no longer have the energy, or opportunity, to do. Some of those things don’t interest me so I am fine leaving them behind. But other things make me wistfully recall my younger, more undefined days.

For example, my nephew just began his college career. I have no interest in reliving the anxious awkwardness of finding my place in campus life or figuring out how to get along with a roommate or staying up all night to fret about a final exam. However, I would be excited to have the thrilling and seemingly boundless learning opportunities spread before me once again, unfettered by the cares of the adult world, with everything feeling fresh and new and possible.

So, I live vicariously through my nephew. He talks to me excitedly about college life, his classes, his successes and failures, his joys and concerns. In a very, very small (and painless) way I can live as a college student again, through him.

In a sort of similar way, today’s verse says I can live vicariously through God’s son, Jesus.

My nephew is at college, doing all the hard stuff — missing home, taking exams, reading texts, studying hard, pushing boundaries — which I do not have to experience. But he is also doing all the fun stuff — learning, making friends, dreaming about his future, enjoying his freedom — which I can enjoy vicariously, as he allows.

Jesus was sent to earth like my nephew was sent to college. While on earth, Jesus did all the hard stuff — suffering and dying for my sins — so I didn’t have to. After He was resurrected, He returned to Heaven where He’s doing all the fun stuff — living in peace with God, surrounded by wisdom, beauty, and love — which I can enjoy vicariously. And actually, through the miracle of God’s love I can do better than vicarious enjoyment. I can live the good stuff for real. Just the good parts!

Dear God,

Thank you for the beautiful and undeserved gift of eternal life with you, where I am invited to enjoy just the good parts. I’m so grateful that Jesus took all the bad parts with Him when He died on the cross. I’m so happy to live through you, and not just vicariously.