3 Steps to Becomming FULLY ALIVE

12.17.10

Fully Alive

Recently, I stumbled upon a website that calculates the number of seconds you have been alive, based on your birth date and time.  I also found a website that predicts your death age based on lifestyle habits and condition of your health.

Where we run into trouble is when we spend too many days analyzing the past or anxiously fearing our future.  Both are irrelevant to the "full life" Jesus promised us in John 10:10!

 

John 10:10 (New International Version, ©2010)

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Ever since Jesus came, the worldview on life changed for the follower of Christ.  Jesus rose to claim victory over death.  He did so, to give us a bridge to walk between our anxieties over to true hope, love, and freedom.

From that point forward, the question the believer should be asking is "are we fully alive" in the time God gave us?

This has nothing to do with how long or short our lives are... but it has everything to do with WHAT we do with the time God gives us!

Philippians 1:21 (New International Version, ©2010)

²¹ For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 

 Paul said it well.  To live... to truly LIVE means to model our lives after Christ!  When we do meet our maker some day, we will gain eternal life and have a blast!

So are you FULLY ALIVE?

Consider these three words as you seek God's answer to that question:

1.  Live.

Seriously, live. Go Hard!

Live as if God has complete sovereignty over your circumstances, 

your opportunities, your success... everything. 

Seek God's voice for how He's uniquely wired you.  

What has He called you to?  What has He made you for?  

Assess your spiritual gifts, your passions, your skills, your life experiences... 

 In the overlap of these is where you will find out what it means to truly LIVE.

2.  Give.

Model you life after a man from Gospel.  

He was born in a humble manger, grew up working hard, 

and gave all of His 33 years on this planet away.... 

...ultimately... as a living sacrifice for us.

Nobody can rob you of the opportunity to invest your days well.

An investment of your time, your gifts, 

your resources, your smile, your encouragement...

... all may have an eternal ROI beyond Earthly comprehension.

3.  Love.

Seems so simple... yet all to easily overlooked.

Love God.

Love God's kids.

Love the ones God gave you to love.

Have you experienced the joy of tithing the first minutes of your day to devotions or scripture time yet?  Are you willing to love people that hurt you, anger you, or are different than you?  How well are you loving those closest to you... the ones God specifically ordained to be influence by your love?

Husbands, you are the only husband your wife will ever have.  Ever.  

Fathers, you are the only father your kids will ever have.  Ever.

Live.  Give.  and Love.  

Prayerfully seek God's voice in your life, and listen to His words of encouragement.  Remember, God only corrects those He loves.  He offers freedom.  He offers significance.  He offers life!

Then, and only then, may we truly realize what it means to become FULLY ALIVE.