I recently celebrated another birthday (praise God!), and as birthdays and new beginnings, in general, can have a way of doing, it caused me to reflect on my life journey so far.  The defining moments, losses, abundant blessings, and the hopes and dreams that still remain for the days and years ahead, were all before me.

In the days following my birthday, a favorite scripture surfaced again and again in my heart and mind:

“My son, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you.” (Proverbs 3:1, 2 AMP)

As I meditated on this Word, I gratefully concluded that my life has indeed been (and will continue to be) a life worth living.  The greatest thing about my life journey to date has been the privilege to walk it out with the Lord, growing in Him as I’ve grown up in life, with its ebbs and flows.  Knowing God–through His Word and by His Spirit–has made ALL the difference in my truly living and enjoying life.

In fact, I recall a profound lesson that God taught me on this.  As I stood outdoors one Spring afternoon years ago, the Lord spoke to my heart.  He called my attention to the people that were going to and fro in the normal course of their daily affairs and then He said this: “Look at all those people who think they are living and they don’t even know Me.”  It was a profound realization that I’d never considered before that moment.

Essentially, God was calling my attention to the stark contrast of what it means to exist (“the walking dead”) versus what it means to truly live.  Existence–movement, action, activity, etc.,–is something that every human experiences while alive.  But living only comes as a result of knowing God.  Living a life that’s actually worth living is what God offers and wants for His people.  Not mere existence, but life in abundance, to the full, until it overflows! (John 10:10, AMP.)

I’ve never forgotten that lesson, and I’m grateful that God’s Word remains steadfast through the seasons of life, guaranteeing that my life will continue to be full, blessed and worth the journey.  I’m loving life–in Him–and I wouldn’t have it any other way. For whatever you desire to achieve, experience and become in life, always be mindful to stay rooted in God and His Word and allow Him to give you the life you dream of.  Without question, it’s the only one worth living.