Posted on: 7th May 2026

Jesus tells us that he came that we might have life and have it abundantly, life in all its fullness. But what does that mean if you don’t have much time left? This question was explored in the film ‘The Bucket List’ starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. They portrayed two people Carter and Edward who meet for the first time in hospital when both of them are given a diagnosis of terminal lung cancer. They decide to spend their remaining months together ticking off things on their bucket list. It is all great fun at first, but as they start to know each other better and explore the deeper parts of their lives and their regrets, they sadly fall out and go their separate ways. In an attempt to repair their friendship Carter writes Edward a letter…

Dear Edward, I've gone back and forth the last few days trying to decide whether or not I should even write this. In the end, I realized I would regret it if I didn't, so here it goes. I know the last time we saw each other; we weren't exactly hitting the sweetest notes-certainly wasn't the way I wanted the trip to end. I suppose I'm responsible and for that, I'm sorry. There's no way I can repay you for all you've done for me, so rather than try, I'm just going to ask you to do something else for me - find the joy in your life, Edward. Find the joy.

Find the joy. That is what life in all its fullness is, finding the joy of Christ. Which is far deeper than happiness, because life in all its fullness doesn’t just mean the nice fluffy stuff, it includes grief, trauma, loss, pain, cancer, war. We recently sheltered someone fleeing domestic violence. We couldn’t instantly
wave a magic wand and make this young lady’s life perfect or miraculously remove the burden of pain and trauma she had suffered. There was no ‘happiness making machine’ here at the Crypt. What we could do was give her a cup of tea, a listening ear and a safe place. We could show a little of God’s love in the midst of her chaos and brokenness and so offer the potential that tomorrow would be different to yesterday. Joy might seem an odd emotion to seek in the midst of tragedy or abuse, but the joy of Christ is found in the deep comfort of knowing Christ is in our lives and there is that hope in the midst of adversity. That is the difference from happiness, happiness is limited by the reality of the here and now, but joy is grounded in the eternity of love which Christ promises us.

So, my dear friends, whatever you face today, whatever burdens you carry… find the joy in your life, find the joy.