‘I seek not a long life, but a full one, like You, Lord Jesus.’ - Jim Elliot
What is the measure of a full life?
Accomplishments?
Accolades?
Legacy?
‘What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.’ James 4:14
You are a breath, a mist, here for a moment and gone.
And yet, every one of those days was known and formed long before you were born (Ps 139:16).
If this is true, the measure of a full life is not necessarily a long life or an accomplished one, but a faithful life. A life that has stewarded all things that have been entrusted and allotted for the glory of God and the good of others (Matt 25:14-30, 1 Cor 10:31, Eph 4:12).
‘What do you have that you did not receive?’ (1 Cor 4:7)
Our time, talent and treasure - regardless of quantity or quality - have all been entrusted to our care. Even our pain, sorrow, and suffering can be stewarded well (Job 2:10, Ps 119:71, 2 Cor 12:10).
So seek not a long life, but seek to dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of your life (Ps 27:4)
‘I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!’ (Ps 27:13)
Father, let our lives find their fullness in You. Let our words and days take the shape of Your Son who did not speak on His own authority, came to serve, and walk-in obedience to what You have entrusted to Him. Spirit, search us, reveal us, refine us and lead us to Jesus. In the name of Christ, amen.
Seeking a full life,
AB