I know of a woman over 100 years old. She still has a sharp mind, refuses to wear her glasses and insists on feeding herself (with difficulty). When her time on earth is ended very likely people will say, “She lived a full life.” Why? Because she lived a long time, kept her mind and her body relatively healthy and experienced a great deal. I wonder, Is that the best definition of a full life?

What about when a young person dies? What do we usually say? “She had her whole life ahead of her.” We think of what might have been. The places they didn’t get to go. The relationships they didn’t get to experience. The unfulfilled potential. We don’t usually say that they lived a “full" life. But isn’t it possible that a young person can exit earth having lived a full life? Maybe our definition of a “full life” might need to be adjusted.

When we say a “full life” we usually mean full in this way “complete, especially in detail, number or duration” (www.merriam-webster.com)   The word “full” can also mean “abundant” or “satisfied” or “containing as much as possible” Former president of the United States, Jimmy Carter released a book in 2015 called “A Full Life: Reflections at 90.” It’s the first thing that came up when I searched for a definition of a “full life” Definitions that appeared were more along the line of “full of life” or “lively”. Interestingly, the search deiivered blogs or people’s opinions rather than a true definition for “a full life.” There was even an article that talked about the changing definition of “a full life” because people are living longer. Simply put, years and experiences are the general understanding of a full life. So, let’s talk about that for a moment and come up with our own definition, one that extends to all regardless of age.

Jesus also talked about a full life. In John 10:10 He says,  “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (NIV) That translation still leaves a lot to interpretation. Some translations say “abundant” rather than full. But the New Living Translation puts it this way, "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Rich and satisfying. Maybe that gives us a better place to redefine a full life. A rich and satisfying life doesn’t depend on years or experience or even potential. It describes a life that has meaning and purpose. A life that is enjoyable, rewarding, fulfilling. If Jesus came to give that kind of life, then it is available to all, regardless of age. It can be yours if you are 95 or 25. It is received through a full surrender to Jesus Christ. A person who is in a growing relationship with Him discovers meaning, purpose and fulfillment that is deeply satisfying and answers the cry of every heart to know that their life has value. Years and experience dont necessarily lead to a rich and satisfying life.. A relationship with Jesus will. I don’t know what is going on in your life, but I do know that Jesus came so that you could live a “rich and satisfying life” regardless of how long you live or the circumstances you are facing.

A young man of our acquaintance tragically died. I didn’t know him well, but the more I hear about the quality of his life and his commitment to Christ, the more I believe that he had lived a full life, rich and satisfying, abundant and containing as much as possible. He was known as one who loved and served others because he loved Jesus. Yes, there is unfulfilled potential, but not an unfulfilled life.

Wherever you are on your personal timeline, you can be living a life that is richly satisfying. Your challenge, and mine, is to live in such a way that whenever it’s time for us to head home to Heaven we can say that we have lived a life fully surrendered to Christ because a surrendered life is a satisfying life.

Key thought: A surrendered life is a satisfying life.

A Scripture to consider: "My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

A YES challenge: Take some time alone with God to evaluate your life. Are you living a full life? What might be one area that needs a change in order to better experience a rich and satisfying relationship with Jesus?

Prayer: Father, I want to fulfill Your purpose for my life. I want to discover the richness and satisfaction that only comes from you. No matter when the time comes for me to leave this earth, I want to know that I lived for You with everything in me. My life is yours. Amen.