Making a Living Vs. Making A Life

Tom Paterson, in his book, “Living The Life You Were Meant To Live” made a powerful statement. God isn’t as interested in us making a living as He is in us “making a life.”

Let's unpack that. Let's start with this question: are we so consumed with making a living that we have forgotten how to make a life?

In this world of self-centered goals and striving to get ahead, maybe we need to take a deep breath, step back a little, and gain some perspective.

At the end of our lives, I don’t think it will matter how much money you and I made or how successful we were. I think the questions we will be concerned about are... 

Did we love our God and others well? Did we make a difference in this world?

It’s not that success or money are bad things, but Jesus was right when He said that life is so much more than our possessions. At the end of our lives, I think it will be more important to know we were the kind of people that loved and served others well rather than what kind of car we drove, the house we lived in, or how much money we made.

Did we love like Jesus would? Did our life point to Him?

The reality is that there are no guarantees in this life. Time is precious. It waits for no one and it’s the one thing we can never get back.

If we postpone what we want to do, relationships we want to have or influence, or even a trip we want to take... that time may never come. People wait for retirement to pursue their dreams. Retirement comes, health fails, and the dream never happens.

Are you making a living or making a life?

Why postpone even simple joys another day? Why not take the time for a long walk and smell the roses and enjoy the beauty of God’s creation? It won’t cost you a thing. Why not take time to lay hold of courage and forgive or to tell someone that you love them? Maybe it’s time to be a voice of encouragement to someone who desperately needs it. 

Are you making a living or making a life?