Living Life to the Fullest
The song is titled Vivir Mi Vida (Live My Life), a phrase you’d normally relate to the cry of a rebellious teen. However, when you look into the lyrics you’ll see that it isn’t referring to the carrying out of a frivolous lifestyle, but rather an attempt to live life to the fullest.
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” ~ Jesus (John 10:10)
“The glory of God is man fully alive.” ~ St. Irenaeus
God wants more for us than for us to get through life. His desire is that we be fully alive—all we can be, the best-version-of-ourselves—and we can only do so in and through Him. It is God that gave us life to begin with and it is He who restores us to new life in Christ. It’s more than happy talk or self-fulfillment, it is the deepest longing of our hearts.
The Power of Suffering
“A veces llega la lluvia para limpiar las heridas.”
Sometimes the rain comes to clean our wounds. As I’ve written many times before, suffering is not just the result of a cruel God who wants to inflict His wicked punishment on us for the sake of His enjoyment. However, it is the result not only of our broken world and fallen human nature, but also the permissive will of God. The Lord permits us to suffer, to struggle, to face challenges, but always with healing and growth as the outcome.
“No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.” ~ 1 Corinthians 10:13
God will never give you something you can’t handle. And when you trust in Him to get you through it, it doesn’t just make it easier, but it gives it purpose. Sometimes the rain comes to clean our wounds is a reminder that difficult times in our lives often lead us back to God where we can find the healing and restoration that our hearts long for. There is power in suffering!
Living Water to Quench Our Thirst
“A veces solo una gota puede vencer la sequía.”
Sometimes a single drop can quench our thirst. And when we find ourselves in the desert—spiritual dryness, distant from God—a single drop can quench our thirst. Just as a sip of cool water can feel like a taste of heaven, Jesus can fulfill our deepest desire, fill the seemingly unfillable void within us.
”…to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul.” ~ Psalms 23:2-3
“Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as scripture says: ‘Rivers of living water will flow from within him.'” ~ John 7:37-38
A Reminder of Joy
“Voy a reír, voy a bailar, vivir mi vida la la la la.”
I’m gonna laugh, I’m gonna dance, and live my life la la la la.How often I find myself void of joy. This is the perfect reminder that even in the difficult times in life I can find joy, because my joy is in God.
Far too often we allow the pressures of daily life rob us of our joy. And even more so Christians with sour faces reflect none of the joy of Christ. Somethings wrong. Where have we failed? For to live in intimacy with Christ is a reason for much joy, our greatest joy. It’s not to say that life is perfect, but our brokenness is healed, our disordered hearts are restored, our glory is restored. That is occasion to rejoice!
“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” ~ John 15:11
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” ~ Philippians 4:4
Finding Purpose and Pursuing It
“Voy a vivir el momento para entender el destino.”
Voy a escuchar el silencio para encontrar el camino.”
I’m going to live in the moment to understand my destiny. I’m going to listen in the silence to discover the way. What is my purpose? This is a question many have pondered throughout the ages. Philosophers and theologians have wondered and written. Their words are inspiring and insightful, yet they often fail to help us find meaning. It is in our experience of life that we come to understand its meaning and our purpose. And it is in our encounter with God, more than just our study of Him, that we come to know His plan for our lives.
It is for this reason that we must find Him and this has proven to be a seemingly impossible task for many. For this world in which we live is so full of noise and distractions, that even when we find time for prayer we can’t even seem to take the focus off of ourselves. More than to talk to Him, we need to hear His voice and we’ve stopped listening.
“In the silence of the heart God speaks.” ~ Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa lived in one of the noisiest places on earth, yet spent hours on her knees in prayer each morning before going out at doing all the good she did. Her actions were inspired by deep intimacy with God. The love that radiated from her smile was the brimming over of God’s love from within her heart. It is only when we shut our mouths and open our hearts are we able to truly listen and hear the voice of God speaking into our lives.
Question: What in your life is preventing you from being fully alive?