February 5
Living
Life Fully
“Do you want to love life and see many good days? Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.”
Psalm 34:12 (NIrV)
Josh leaned back in his gaming chair, staring at the glowing screen in front of him. Another victory in the bag. It was his third win of the day—but the excitement wasn’t there. His days blurred together: wake up, game, eat, and sleep. The outside world felt like a distant memory.
His mom would sometimes knock on his door and ask, “Josh, why don’t you take a break? Go outside, feel the sun, maybe meet up with friends.”
Josh would brush her off. “I’m fine, Mom. This is what I enjoy.”
But deep down, Josh wasn’t so sure. There was an emptiness that the games couldn’t fill. One evening, after a long gaming session, Josh’s best friend Liam messaged him.
“Hey, remember when we used to bike around the park and talk about everything? I miss those days, man. Let’s hang out sometime.”
Josh sighed and glanced out the window. The sun was setting, painting the sky with vibrant colors he hadn’t noticed in months. He muttered, “Maybe I’ve been missing something.”
That night, as he scrolled through his phone, Josh stumbled across a verse shared by a youth group he’d once attended: “Do you want to love life and see many good days?” He paused. The verse hit him harder than he expected.
He prayed hesitantly, “God, am I wasting my life? I don’t even know what loving life means anymore. Help me figure this out.”
The next morning, Josh took a step outside. The air was crisp, the sun warm on his skin. He decided to call Liam. They spent the afternoon biking and laughing, just like old times. Josh noticed the sound of birds, the feel of the breeze, and the joy of connection.
Slowly, he started to put limits on his gaming and explore the world beyond his screen. Josh realized life was more than just victories in a virtual world—it was about experiencing the beauty of creation, building relationships, and finding joy in the simple things.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for reminding us of the beauty and joy You’ve placed in life.
Forgive us for the times we’ve settled for less, hiding from the world instead of embracing the good days You’ve given us.
Help us to live fully, to seek connection, and to find purpose in You.
Guide us as we rediscover what it means to love life and honor You in all we do.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
