Recently,
I was asked to define the characteristics of a life well-lived. What does it take to be able to say a
person’s life is or was well-lived? A
fancy house and nice cars in the garage? A quick climb up the career ladder to
a position of wealth or power? Becoming
a world traveler visiting all of the best vacation destinations? Joining a band and going on tour? Becoming a famous author? Painter?
Winning the lottery? While all of
these things sound wonderful, is that really what it takes to feel satisfied or
to feel like you fulfilled your life’s purpose?
My heart says no. But, if I’m
being totally honest, often times my flesh says it is. I would venture to say that most people
battle with the same thoughts. If I
could just buy that extra large house with the in-ground pool or that sharp
truck I’ve had my eye on… If I could just land that supervisor job… If I could
just travel here or vacation there… If I could just make more money… If I
could_____________... you fill in the blank.
There’s always something to fill in the blank. But, in reality, a life well-lived has
nothing to do with the size of our house or our bank account, the career we
have, the amount of toys we have in our garages or vacations we’ve taken, or
the number of followers we have on Facebook or Twitter.
So, how do we define a “well-lived”
life? Is it because at the end of our
days, someone will say “they lived a ‘good’ life”? Does “good” somehow equal well-lived? Partly, yes.
But, that’s only a minute detail of one’s life.
We were created for a purpose. We were created to have a relationship with Jesus…to
love Him. Everything we do should mirror
the image of Christ, and ultimately, bring glory to His name. A life well-lived comes from realizing our
need for a relationship, a friendship, with Jesus. A well-lived life allows Him to live through
it. When a person realizes how much
Jesus loves them – enough to die for them – and totally surrenders their life
to Him, He is able to live in and through them.
Their life will demonstrate many of the same characteristics we know of
Jesus. It doesn’t matter what kind of
car you drive or how much money you have. What matters is Jesus. A life well-lived is a life totally dedicated
to allowing Jesus to shine through in EVERY detail. It’s a life that understands how important it
is to love Jesus. And loving Jesus means
loving people.
Two names come to mind. Doug and Connie. Two people who love Jesus. Two people who are living life well – in
totally different ways.
My friend, Doug, is the executive
director of Tiny Hands International, an organization created to combat human
trafficking. He has poured his heart
into the work they are doing, traveling the world to speak and raise awareness
of the horrors of human trafficking, funding his own trips to visit Nepal and
help in the children’s homes they’ve begun, and meeting with people from all
over the world to advance the work being done.
And why? Because he has a passion
to let his life be used by Jesus. His
heart is overflowing with love. Because
he loves Jesus. Period.
My friend, Connie, is a Christian
wife and mother of six. She has faced
many trials in her life, suffered much loss, and has had many ups and
downs. Most recently being her youngest
son’s battle with hepatoblastoma.
However, through it all, she has kept her faith. When most people would have thrown in the
towel, Connie fought. Her life has
become a powerful testimony, and her family has become a light to over 18
thousand people all over the world via Facebook. Through it all, she continues to value family
and the importance of being there for each other. She has poured her heart into showing the
world the love of Jesus by the way she lives.
And why? Because she has a
passion to let her life be used by Jesus.
Her heart, amidst all the pain and hurt, is overflowing with love. Because she loves Jesus. Period.
Both Doug and Connie have figured
out how to have a life well-lived. And
their lives seem nothing alike. A life
well-lived does not look the same for everyone.
It’s about understanding the importance of loving Jesus and allowing Him
to use you no matter where life takes you.
That’s a life well-lived!
