Longevity or Fullness?

John 10:10 “I have come that they may have life, and life to the full.”

Jesus pronounced these words, and then modeled them for us, although he died in his early thirties. He clearly didn’t have a long life, but he did have a full life. So don’t confuse longevity with fullness – they are not the same thing. As Abraham Lincoln said: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Many people reach their old age with deep regrets that they didn’t really live the life they should have. May it not be the same with us! Ashley Montague was onto something when he said: “The idea is to die young, after living as long as possible!”

I never thought I’d reach thirty, let alone fifty-years-old. The verse above became a life motto for me. Whether God was going to allow me to be a casualty of the war, or (as has thus far transpired) whether he would grant me longer on this earth, I resolved to have the fullest life possible – even if it ended up being cut short.

The war sharpened my senses and helped me identify what constituted a full life. It was one that prioritised people over possessions. It was one of strict discipline to maximize limited time, but one in which that strict discipline included guarding time for rest and fun. It involved investing in people or projects that would surpass and outlive me. It involved the willingness to embrace both tears and laughter, despair and hope, doubt and certainty, defeat and victory.

So are you shooting for longevity or fullness? For possessions or people? Are you committed to results or relationships? To success or significance? Jesus guides us in our answers by both warning and encouraging us that “whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 10:35).

Lord, I choose life to the full today. Amen!