Living a fulfilling life is God’s plan for everyone, but what does that mean? When asked what a fulfilled life means, many people will think of worldly things such as wealth, their home, or the job they have. I have known people who seemed to have it all but had left God behind and struggled to find meaning in life.
Jesus gives us an explanation. John 10:10The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. [1] Our enemy wants to believe that investing in the world brings true happiness, but that is not true. In chasing the world, the enemy works to steal what God wants for us. Jesus comes to give us a rich and satisfying life that only He can provide.
This is the type of life that Abraham lived, and we can too, as we respond to God’s call. Genesis 12:1The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others.[2]
Invest in the God Who Calls You
God calls us to faith and initiates work within us, but we have the free will to respond to the Holy Spirit and invest in Him. There is no greater journey than investing in God, who shapes us and holds our eternity. I like what we learn about Abraham at the end of his life. Genesis 25:7Abraham lived for 175 years,and he died at a ripe old age, having lived a long and satisfying life.[3]
With God’s help, we, too, can experience a fulfilling life. Paul provides insight into this transformation. Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. For a believer in Jesus, a fulfilled life reflects obedience to the Lord. This doesn’t mean it’s always easy or that we won’t fail. Like Abraham, we do fail, but we can confess our sins to the Lord and start anew.
How Do I Invest in God?
As believers, we know we should invest in the Lord, but what if we struggle to do so? We all face challenges in this area, emphasizing the need to pray and ask the Lord for strength to deepen our relationship with Him. A life dedicated to building a relationship with God doesn’t happen by accident. Commit to spending time in God’s word and prayer each week and let the Lord guide you in what that looks like.
If possible, join a small group that discusses God’s word not only for discipleship but also for fellowship and accountability. As we walk the Christian journey, we are better together. Just like Abraham, we all experience our ups and downs, but let’s remember that living a fulfilled life is a beautiful journey. And guess what? The Lord is right there with us every step of the way!
To learn more about living a fulfilling life, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/abraham-faithful-to-the-end
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.