LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST

Colossians 1:10 “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”

One of golf’s immortal moments came when a Scotsman demonstrated the new game to U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant. Carefully placing the ball on the tee, he took a mighty swing. The club hit the turf and scattered dirt all over the President’s beard and the surrounding vicinity, while the ball waited placidly on the tee. Again the Scotsman swung and again he missed. Our president waited patiently through six tries and then quietly stated, “There seems to be a fair amount of exercise in the game, but I fail to see the purpose of the ball.”

President Grant made a statement that could be true about many lives. There seems to be a fair amount of exercise…but I fail to see the purpose. Have you ever felt as though your life consisted of much activity with little or no progress? For all the busyness in our lives we must ask “Are we getting anywhere from it?” "Is there a purpose for it all?" Purpose gives meaning to our lives. It gives one the ability to say, “I know why I’m doing what I’m doing.”

Here’s the key question. Are you living or do you just exist? There is a difference; there is a big difference. Webster’s defines living as “vigorous, alive and full of life.” Existing is defined as “to have being.” So many wake up, go to work or school, keep house, whatever the case. They go about their business, but they have no real sense of purpose in their lives. The happiness and fulfillment of their life depends largely on circumstances and achievements. If they were completely honest, they would admit that inside, they are empty. I am not saying that we all have to live lives of liberality, and a new, wild change every day of our lives, however we can learn to live lives of stability and have that vigor and livelihood rather than being content with just “being.” The inspired word of God gives direction to accomplish this.

We must “seize the day”. No one wants life to be mediocre. We want our lives to be full. We want everything we can get out of every day, but what are we willing to do about it? We are wrapped up in deadlines, and commitments, problems and priorities and it just doesn’t always happen. There are ways to seize the day, every day of your life. We must know the purpose of our life. The IRS is a great example of understanding their purpose. In the IRS handbook it says, “During a state of national emergency resulting from enemy attack, the essential functions of the service will be as follows: assessing, collecting, and recording taxes.” So while we all panic, they will be doing what they always do…taking our money. But, they know their purpose.

Recently, I have been challenged to Love God, Serve Others, and Live Big. Now that’s living life to its fullest. God did not create us as beings to just plop down on the earth and do our time, and go back from where we came. He created us as living creatures to live our lives to the fullest, but to do it his way. Dig down deep and ask yourself, how full is my life? Am I living or existing? Am I giving God 100% of every day that he has given me on this earth? The answer may be surprising, but it’s a great place to start living the rest of your life for him.