Top

Renee Swope

Encouraging and equipping moms to parent with God's grace and confidence.

Life to the Full

Have you ever felt like your life was lifeless?

Almost every day I meet women who aren’t living – they’re merely surviving. And some barely. And sometimes I am right there with them.

In John 10:10, Jesus said, “I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full.” But it seems our lives get so full, we barely have time for life.

Lifeless is how I would’ve described mine ten years ago. I remember it almost to the day. It was an epiphany of sorts. It happened sometime in March of 1999. That’s when I realized I was miserable. I’d been unhappy for months, maybe even a year. But I thought it was just a phase. I thought life would slow down and I’d start enjoying it.

Looking back now I can see that the busyness of life had sucked me dry. And I had allowed it to happen. I was moving from one thing to the next but not stopping long enough to enjoy, or find joy, in any of it. And all along I assumed I was doing what God wanted me to do.

Drained by all my doing, I had become a mostly tired, stressed, busy, irritable and rarely content wife, mom and friend. I wonder now how I could’ve assumed that all I was doing was what God wanted me to do. Although it was good stuff, my excessive busyness took more and more time away from my time with Him. Limited by 24 hours in each day, I could only give so much time and energy to my responsibilities and relationships. My relationship with Him got bumped by good things that weren’t God’s things.

I was serving God in so many ways; my heart’s intentions were good. But without even realizing it, I started serving more and seeking Him less and less. Oh, I read my Bible but it was hurried. Instead of just listening and talking to Him, I’d rush through my devotion time looking for answers to fill in blanks for my Bible study. Or I’d quickly search for a promise to get me through the day. There was no relationship in it and I’d lost that lovin’ feeling. My time with God felt distant and dry. No wonder I was miserable. No wonder my life felt lifeless.

Jesus said, “I have come that [you] may have life and have it to the full,” but right before that He warned us that a their would come to steal, kill and destroy. The thief will do all he can to keep us from “life to the full” by disguising a full life as the good life while making sure our minds and schedules are so full we don’t have time to seek and live close to the one who offers life.

I once heard an acronym for BUSY: burdened under satan’s yoke. Today as I reflect on the amazing things God has taught me and brought me through the past ten years, I am committing once again to being with more than doing for. Seeking Him more than serving others and savoring each moment I’ve been given to live – to the full!!!

So, back to my question: Have you ever felt like your life was lifeless? Why and how did you get there? Are there things you’ve learned that might help others or questions you have that we can ponder together?

Thanks to Random Integer, the winner of last Tuesday’s drawing for Wendy’s book, Hidden Joy in Dark Corner, is: 

25 - Victoria

Timestamp: 2009-02-23 12:33:19 UTC

Victoria, please email your mailing address to [email protected].

Seeking His fullness!

Discover more from Renee Swope

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Comments

  2. So many times I find myself over-whelmed with things to do, church activities to participate in, my full time job, my 2 boys, my one son that requires more attention than my other son, dinner, bible study, a book I want to finish reading, dinner and dishes, and so much more. Before I know it the day is gone and I’m exhausted and frustrated – not giving God any glory in between all of that. Lately – I have felt God telling me and showing me to cut back – work part time – be a mom – be a wife – be a servant. I am seeking His will in my life because I want nothing more than to serve him and hear those wonderful words upon our coming together “Well done…good and faithful servant”.

    Seeking His Will and In His Love,
    Melissa

  3. Hey!
    Just checkin’ in!
    Praying for you with your full days this week!
    Thanking the Lord I do not have ANY appointments tomorrow other than an appointment with the laundry!
    Love,
    K 🙂

    • It can be kind of strange. site also makes advertising entertaining, as an alternative to a “big, significant thing.” IPP. It’s no secret that banner marketing has been progressively declining in popularity and effectiveness, and absolutely everyone has popup blockers installed to keep those annoying popup advertisements from screening. Pay-per-click advertisers are becoming increasingly frustrated with click scam, the higher rate of unqualified clicks.

  4. the New Living says “a rich and satisfying” life.

    I wish I’d visited Monday, the day I taught on this exact scripture to my Asian friends.

    We discussed deep longings and how God longs to fulfill them. It was so good!

    When I discovered that I’d been doing good things and not so good things instead of God things is when I took time to go to a place where I could spend time alone, quietly, with God. (For me that is my mom’s house or the shower :))

    I just waited on Him to give me peace as I lifted each item on my calendar and my kids’ calendars to Him. The result that first year was we stopped preschool, we stopped dance lessons, we stopped tennis lessons, I stopped organized Bible study in order to refocus on my inward ministry to Christ and my homebound ministry to my children and husband. The result was a strengthened marriage, a reenergized faith and many opportunities presented. I pray about each one and go where He leads. When I pick up something I shouldn’t, I get that same uneasy, unpeaceful feeling in my gut.

    Thanks, Renee. Love you!!