Are You Living or Merely Existing? A Call to a Purposeful Life
What does it mean to truly live? Are you waking up each day with a sense of purpose, or are you simply going through the motions, existing without direction? This question strikes at the heart of our existence. Most people today are caught in the cycle of routine—work, school, chores—living for fleeting moments of happiness tied to circumstances or achievements. Deep down, many feel an emptiness, a lack of true fulfillment. That’s existing. But Jesus came to offer something more: a life abundant, vibrant, and rooted in purpose (John 10:10). To experience this life, we must turn to Him, the source of all life.
Yet, if we’re honest, many Christians don’t reflect this abundant life. We blend into the world’s rhythm, existing rather than living. In John 17, known as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, we glimpse how Jesus lived as He faced the cross. His words, spoken in the upper room or en route to Gethsemane, reveal a life anchored in purpose. To determine whether you’re living or just existing, consider three questions drawn from this passage.
1. Are You Living with Dependence on God?
As Jesus approached His darkest hour, He didn’t rely on His own strength or circumstances. Instead, He “lifted up His eyes to heaven” and said, “Father” (John 17:1). Even as the Son of God, Jesus lived in complete dependence on the Father. In John 5:30, He declared, “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will, but the will of Him who sent me.” Every miracle, every sermon, every victory over temptation came not from His divine nature alone but from His reliance on the Father’s guidance.
If Jesus, the perfect Son of God, depended entirely on the Father, how much more must we? Too often, we lean on our own abilities—our talents, education, or resources—to navigate life or even to do God’s work. This self-reliance keeps us tethered to the natural, leaving little room for the supernatural. But when we live in dependence on God, as Jesus did, the impossible becomes possible. Jesus looked to God and healed the deaf, raised Lazarus, and fed thousands with a few loaves and fish. Can you point to moments in your life where God’s power broke through because you trusted Him? Moments where you overcame temptation or impacted others in ways only God could orchestrate? Dependence on God unlocks His supernatural work in our lives.
2. Are You Living with a Sense of Divine Purpose?
Jesus declared, “The hour has come” (John 17:1). Throughout His ministry, He spoke of His “hour” or “time,” a moment of divine destiny. When His mother urged Him to reveal Himself at a wedding, He said, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4). When His brothers pushed Him to prove Himself, He replied, “My time has not yet come” (John 7:6). Jesus knew His purpose: to glorify God through His death and resurrection. Every step He took led to that moment.
Do you live with a sense of divine purpose? Many drift through life, chasing jobs, achievements, or fleeting pleasures, yet feel aimless. God has a unique purpose for you within the body of Christ. The Bible assures us, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). You have a spiritual gift, a role to play in God’s plan. If you’re unsure of your purpose, ask God to reveal it. Step out in faith, even if it feels risky. God is eager to show you His plan—more eager than you are to discover it. A life of purpose is a life aligned with God’s eternal design.
3. Are You Living to Glorify God?
Jesus prayed, “Glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (John 17:1). His life and death were driven by a desire to reveal God’s presence and bring Him praise. To glorify God means to manifest His presence and honor Him in all we do. Jesus embodied this: He was the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15), and through His life, death, and resurrection, He brought glory to the Father.
Living to glorify God sets us free from selfishness, which breeds misery. When we live for ourselves, we’re tossed by life’s ups and downs—disappointments, unfair treatment, or shifting circumstances. But when our deepest desire is to glorify God, we find freedom. We can say, “Lord, whether I face hardship or blessing, let Your name be honored.” This echoes Jesus’ words: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). A life devoted to God’s glory is a life of true freedom and joy.
Conclusion: Choose to Live
So, are you living or merely existing? Do you depend on God as Jesus did, trusting Him for strength and guidance? Are you pursuing the divine purpose He has for you? Is your life marked by a desire to glorify Him, no matter the cost? I’ll be honest—some days, I feel like I’m just going through the motions, existing in a default state. But Jesus invites us to more. He calls us to a life of dependence, purpose, and glory—a life that reflects His abundant promise. Lift your eyes to Him, seek His purpose, and live to honor His name. That’s not just existing—that’s truly living.
7-Day Devotional: Living, Not Just Existing
Are you truly living, or are you merely existing? Many of us go through life on autopilot—waking up, working, managing daily tasks, but feeling an emptiness inside. Jesus came to offer us abundant life (John 10:10), a life of purpose, joy, and connection with God. This 7-day devotional invites you to explore what it means to live fully in Christ, inspired by Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17. Over the next week, we’ll reflect on three key questions: Are you living with dependence on God? Are you living with a sense of divine purpose? Are you living to glorify God? Each day includes a Scripture reading, reflection, prayer, and practical steps to help you move from existing to truly living.
Day 1: The Difference Between Living and Existing
Scripture: John 10:10 (ESV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Reflection:
What does it mean to live? For many, life is a cycle of routines—work, school, chores—chasing moments of happiness that depend on circumstances. This is existing, not living. Jesus offers something more: a life overflowing with purpose, rooted in Him. In John 17, as Jesus faced the cross, He prayed with a sense of divine mission, showing us what it means to live fully. Today, consider where you are. Are you thriving in Christ’s abundant life, or are you stuck in survival mode, feeling empty despite your efforts? The first step to living is recognizing the difference and turning to Jesus, the source of true life.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You came to give me abundant life, but I confess that I often settle for existing. Open my eyes to see where I’m living on autopilot. Fill me with Your Spirit and guide me to the purposeful life You have for me. Amen.
Action Step:
Take 10 minutes today to journal or reflect: What does “abundant life” mean to you? Write down one area of your life where you feel you’re just existing, and pray for God’s guidance to bring purpose to that area.
Day 2: Depending on God, Not Ourselves
Scripture: John 17:1 (ESV)
“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’”
Reflection:
As Jesus faced His darkest moment, He didn’t rely on His own strength or circumstances. He looked to the Father, modeling complete dependence on God. In John 5:30, Jesus said, “I can do nothing on my own.” If the Son of God relied on the Father for every miracle and victory, how much more must we? Too often, we trust our own abilities—our skills, plans, or resources—to navigate life. But self-reliance limits us to the natural, while dependence on God opens the door to the supernatural. Reflect on where you’re leaning on yourself instead of God. What would it look like to lift your eyes to Him in trust?
Prayer:
Father, forgive me for relying on my own strength instead of trusting You. Teach me to lift my eyes to You in every situation, depending on Your wisdom and power. Work in me and through me in ways I can’t achieve on my own. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one challenge you’re facing facing today (e.g., a decision, conflict, or temptation). Instead of acting on your own, pause and pray, asking God for guidance. Journal how God responds as you trust Him.
Day 3: The Power of Supernatural Living
Scripture: Mark 7:37 (ESV)
“And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, ‘He has done all things well. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.’”
Reflection:
Jesus’ dependence on the Father led to miracles—deaf ears opened, the dead raised, thousands fed. These weren’t acts of His own power but the Father’s power flowing through Him as He trusted God. When we live in dependence on God, the natural gives way to the supernatural. You may not heal the sick or multiply loaves, but God’s power can work through you in victories over sin, words that touch hearts, or peace in chaos. Have you seen God’s hand in your life lately? Today, reflect on a time when God moved in a way only He could, or ask Him to show His power in a specific area of your life.
Prayer:
Lord, I long to see Your supernatural power in my life. Help me trust You fully, so Your Spirit can work through me. Show me one area where I can depend on You today, and let me see Your hand at work. Amen.
Action Step:
Share a story with a friend or family member about a time God worked in your life in an undeniable way. If you’re waiting for God to move, pray specifically for His power to break through in that situation.
Day 4: Discovering Your Divine Purpose
Scripture: John 2:4 (ESV)
“And Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, what does this have to do with me? My hour has not yet come.’”
Reflection:
Jesus lived with a clear sense of divine purpose. He knew His “hour” was to glorify God through the cross and resurrection, and every step aligned with that mission. Many of us drift through life without purpose, chasing temporary goals that leave us empty. But God has a unique role for you in His kingdom. The Bible says, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). You have a spiritual gift and a calling. If you’re unsure what it is, ask God to reveal it. Be willing to step out in faith, even if it feels risky. Your purpose is part of God’s greater plan.
Prayer:
God, You created me with a purpose. Show me how You’ve gifted me and where You want to use me in Your body. Give me courage to step out in faith, trusting You to guide me. Amen.
Action Step:
Spend 15 minutes in prayer, asking God to reveal your spiritual gifts or calling. Write down any insights. If you’re unsure, try serving in a new way this week (e.g., encouraging someone, volunteering) and see how God speaks.
Day 5: Embracing Your Unique Calling
Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Reflection:
Jesus’ purpose was unique—His cross was His alone to bear. Your calling is different but equally significant. God has prepared good works for you to walk in, tailored to how He made you. Whether it’s teaching, serving, creating, or encouraging, your role matters in God’s kingdom. Living with purpose means saying “yes” to God’s plan, even when it stretches you. Reflect on what excites you, what needs you notice, or where others affirm your gifts. These are clues to your calling. How can you take one step toward embracing it today?
Prayer:
Father, thank You for creating me with a unique purpose. Help me see the good works You’ve prepared for me. Give me boldness to walk in them, knowing You’ll equip me for Your glory. Amen.
Action Step:
Identify one way you can use your gifts this week (e.g., write an encouraging note, share your faith, help someone). Act on it, and journal how it feels to live out your purpose.
Day 6: Living to Glorify God
Scripture: John 17:4 (ESV)
“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.”
Reflection:
Jesus’ deepest desire was to glorify God, revealing His presence and bringing Him praise. To glorify God means living so others see Him through you and give Him honor. This desire frees us from selfishness, which breeds misery when life disappoints. When we pray, “Lord, be glorified in me, no matter what,” we find joy in any circumstance. Reflect on your motives: Are you living for yourself or for God’s glory? Consider how your words, actions, or attitude could point others to Him today.
Prayer:
Lord, I want my life to glorify You. Forgive me for living for myself. Show me how to reflect Your presence and bring You praise in all I do. Be honored through me today. Amen.
Action Step:
Choose one action today that glorifies God (e.g., show kindness, share your faith, worship wholeheartedly). Afterward, reflect on how it shifted your focus from self to God.
Day 7: Choosing to Live Fully
Scripture: Matthew 16:25 (ESV)
“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Reflection:
Jesus calls us to lose our lives for Him—to surrender self-reliance, aimlessness, and selfishness—and find true life in Him. This week, we’ve explored living with dependence on God, embracing divine purpose, and glorifying Him. As you move forward, commit to living, not just existing. Acknowledge where you’ve been existing and ask God to awaken you to His abundant life. Your life can be a testimony of His power, purpose, and glory. Will you choose to live fully for Him?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for offering me abundant life. I confess where I’ve settled for existing. Fill me with Your Spirit, guide me in Your purpose, and let my life glorify You. I choose to live for You. Amen.
Action Step:
Write a commitment to God, stating one way you’ll live differently based on this devotional (e.g., depending on Him daily, pursuing your calling, glorifying Him). Share your commitment with a trusted friend for accountability.
Conclusion:
This 7-day journey is just the beginning. Living abundantly is a daily choice to depend on God, walk in His purpose, and glorify Him. As you continue, keep lifting your eyes to Jesus, the source of true life. Let’s move from existing to living—fully, freely, and for His glory.