The “Good Life”
11 Sep, 2025What is the good life, really? Join Phill – Senior Leader of Mission Development – as he honestly and vulnerably explores the topic.
“The good life is found in right relationship with God.”
I’ve heard it said many times. And yet, I wrestle with this.
I still experience heartbreak and disappointment, grief and stress. I still struggle with the worries of life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things. And if being in a right relationship with God guarantees the good life, shouldn’t things feel … better?
“If Jesus promises life to the full (John 10:10), why does life still feel so hard?”
The tension between these two realities leads me to a crossroads: either Jesus is wrong, or I need to reconsider what the good life is.
So, what is the “good life”?
Our culture offers plenty of possible answers.
The good life is often framed as:
- Financial security
- Independence
- Success
- Happiness
- Or personal fulfilment.
The Australian dream is that if we work hard enough, we can build a life of comfort and prosperity.
Ancient philosophers like Aristotle saw the good life as living virtuously, while modern psychology links it to personal wellbeing.
Self-help podcasts tell us the good life is about tidying up, manifesting success, or finding our true selves.
But Jesus says something different.
When He talks about life to the full, He’s not selling a pathway to wealth, comfort, or Instagram-worthy success. His invitation is far more radical – and far more disruptive.
The way AND the life
Jesus doesn’t just claim to show the way to the good life – He claims to be the good life (John 14:6).
He is both the destination, and the way there.
The good life destination that Jesus models is not achieving power, wealth and independence, but rather relational intimacy with God, self-giving love and dependent contentment.
And the ways of living that point towards this good life are not consumerism, hyper-individualism, greed and fear – but rather, humble simplicity, generosity and hospitality to the poor.
In other words, the good life Jesus offers is not a self-help strategy for achieving my version of success. It’s an invitation for me to reimagine, particularly how I view and use my time and money.
Now and not yet
If I’m honest, I still want the version of the good life where everything works out. But Jesus keeps pulling me toward something deeper. I’m a work in progress.
The good life Jesus invites us to is both now and not yet.
There are glimpses of it in generosity, in deep peace, and in moments of surrendered trust.
But it won’t be fully realised until the future city of God (Revelation 21), where everything will be made whole.
So, where does this leave me?
Perhaps, resolving the tension between now and not yet isn’t the answer.
Perhaps, inviting Jesus to live in the tension with me, is.
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The “Good Life”
What is the good life, really? Join Phill – Senior Leader of Mission Development – as he honestly and vulnerably explores the topic. “The good life is found in right