Fullness of Life

22/11

Today we move from Well-being to look at Fullness of Life.

Ephesians 5:15-16 "Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." The Good News bible puts it this way: “Take advantage of new opportunities to strengthen your faith and create meaning in your life.”

While teaching at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Tony Campolo once turned an ordinary lecture into an unforgettable lesson. He asked an unsuspecting student sitting in the front row, "Young man, how long have you lived?" The student answered his age. Tony responded, "No, no, no. That's how long your heart has been pumping blood. That's not how long you have lived."

Tony Campolo then told the class about one of the most memorable moments of his life. In 1944, his fourth-grade class took a field trip to the top of the Empire State Building. It was the tallest building in the world at the time. When nine-year-old Tony got off the elevator and stepped onto the observation deck overlooking New York City, time stood still. He said, "In one mystical, magical moment I took in the city. If I live a million years, that moment will still be part of my consciousness, because I was fully alive when I lived it."

Tony turned back to the student. "Now, let me ask you the question again. How long have you lived?” The student sheepishly said, “When you say it that way, maybe an hour; maybe a minute; maybe two minutes.”

According to psychologists Matthew Killingsworth and Daniel Gilbert, the average person spends 46.9 percent of their time thinking about something other than what they're doing in the present moment. We're half-present half the time, which means we're half-alive.  

Perhaps we need to wake up to the fact that Jesus came that we might have life in all its fullness.

Merciful God, 

who is more than we can ever imagine, 

give us a wider vision of the world; 

give us a broader view of justice; 

give us dreams of peace 

that are not defined by boundaries of geography

or race or religion, 

or by the limitations of worldly structures and systems. 

Open our eyes and our ears 

that wherever we go, 

we may hear your voice calling us by name; 

calling us to serve, 

calling us to share, 

calling us to praise, 

so that we never give up on the promise of your kingdom, 

where the world is transformed, 

and all can enjoy life in all its fullness. 

Amen.