This past week has been kinda hectic. It was the second to last week of school for me and my profs are killing me with their last second projects and assignments. It seems like they’re always trying to cram as much material into the last couple classes so they can include it in the final exam.
In the evenings on my way back home after class, I always attempt to unwind and think about what I did and what needs to yet be done- both after I get home and later on in the week. As I drove home from school on Tuesday, a song came on over the radio; Kari Jobe was singing “We Are.” I had heard the song before and thought it was a cool song, but hadn’t really paid attention to it. It was weird because I heard it again Thursday, and again Saturday morning. I started to really absorb the lyrics of the song, and what it meant to me.
I’m no statistician, but I bet that 9 out of 10 people have stated at some point in their lives, “I want to live my life to the fullest.” What does this actually mean? and what does it mean to that person? I think that it could mean a couple of things:
(I’m making another list by the way) =)
1. Living life to the fullest means to accomplish a list of things you have created in your mind. If you keep busy to this list, you are happy and you are living to the fullest. But where does this list of yours come from? Is it inspired by God or by you? Does completing this checklist of things fulfill your quest of living life to the fullest?
2. Living life to the fullest is living a simple, yet fulfilling life. Small and monotonous things are okay, as long as you are happy and honoring God. As long as you feel fulfilled doing small and simple things, great. Is a simple life what God had planned for you? Did God give you the capability to do more?
3. Living life to the fullest means to live without restrictions. Society has already presumed certain norms and standards; and if you rebel against these restrictions and do what you want, you are living a fulfilled life. Does living an unrestricted life honor God? I think when/if we break these restrictions, we can both use them to positively and negatively impact the Kingdom.
4. Living life to the fullest means to live every day like it’s your last. Never regret the decisions you’ve made in the past, and don’t worry at all about the future. The experiences we’ve had and the lessons that we’ve learned should have made us a better person. When we become wiser, does it mean we’ve lived life to the fullest? If we’ve improved our relationship with God, does this mean we’ve lived our lives fully?
I think that living your life to the fullest can be left up to interpretation.
I also think that living every day to honor and shine for Christ is not up for interpretation. God has given us all different talents, gifts, and abilities. However, this doesn’t change the fact that Christians should be a light to the world EVERY day no matter WHERE we are. Christians need to be BOLD for Christ and non-believers should recognize the light and the happiness that Christians have and non-believers should desire what we have; Christ living within us!
No matter where I am: at home in Grand Rapids, MI to our first months in Africa, or the middle months of the Race in Eastern Europe, I strive to be God’s light to anyone that I’m in contact with. Whether it’s the person in the airplane seated next to me, the orphaned child in Haiti, or the vendor at the market; people are watching you because you glow with Christ’s love, and they will start to ask questions because they want what you have.
No matter how you define living your life and living life to the fullest, let’s shine for Christ wherever we are and whatever situation we are in!
