Life to the Full

My older brother, Nick, has always had John 10:10 as his favorite bible verse. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

It's an amazing verse and I am constantly reminded of it because of Nick.  He would always notice when things said "10:10."  Clocks, timers, signs, phone numbers, whatever it was Nick would always notice and point it out.  Because of that, I now have a similar awareness to the numbers.  It's such a great reminder through out the day.  Jesus, whom I love and follow, came to earth so that I may have a full life.  It's a promise and a challenge to hear that voice.  It's a promise to hear Jesus blessing us with that full life through his forgiveness, but it's also a challenge to take those words, let them sink in, and then go out and live a full life.

I love running at night.  It's cool, quiet, peaceful.  The other night while I was running (a painful five miles), I started to really think about the phrase "living a full life."  I started to think about all the things that have blocked me from living a full life and all the things out there that stop others from living a full life as well.  So, I compiled a list in my head and I will share it with you in "Jeff Foxworthy style".  Obviously this isn't a complete list, but I hope you take it and are challenged by it to start living a full life.

If you wake up and are miserable, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you hate going to your job, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you complain about everything, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you don't enjoy your kids, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you don't like your husband/wife, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you don't try your hardest at everything, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you don't stand up for the things you believe in, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you have no confidence, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you are overweight or obese and hate being that way, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you don't take care of your body, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you hoard all your money and don't give any of it away, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you think you know everything, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you've wronged someone and never tried to make amends, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you complain about the way things are and make no attempts to change them, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you never take any risk, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you can't laugh at yourself, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you are always in front of your phone/screen, you aren't living a life to the full.

If you never give your opinion and always take the middle road, you aren't living a life to the full.

If your life feels empty and without purpose, you aren't living a life to the full.

Again, this isn't an exhaustive list, but hopefully it gets you thinking of what type of life you are living.  I know there are times when I fall into some of these traps, but I have people and things in place to help get me out of them.  I decided that when Brooke and I got married that I would never just let us settle for an average life.  Jesus is the opposite of average.  He didn't come to earth, live, teach and die on a cross for you to live an average life.  The great commission isn't an average life.  So stop!  Stop living your average life.  Stop thinking that it's someone else's fault your life isn't more fulfilling. Stop blaming others over things that are your fault.  Start living the life that Jesus called you to live.  Start living a life to the full.