I wake up, make my coffee and begin another monotonous day. I make a wholesome breakfast, attend my theological classes, and head to practice. I am already drained from a day of quizzes, lectures, and new assignments to complete, but I must push through for another few hours of physical activity, brain power, and preparation for a weekend of games. It may sound unique to you, but for me, it’s just another day at the office, just another day as a student athlete.

I wake up, I make my coffee, and begin another monotonous day. Somehow, I am more tired than yesterday. The assignments continue to pile up and my strength is thinning. My shoulders slump and my eyes droop, but I muster up a smile and make it through another day.

I wake up, I make my coffee, and begin another monotonous day. I got a good night’s sleep last night and am feeling decent, but then something goes wrong: an argument with a friend, a forgotten paper due, an extra assignment added, and the slumped shoulders come back, and the weight of college comes falling on top of me.

I wake up, I make my coffee, and begin another monotonous day. I look forward to finally laying down and closing my eyes, resting, just for a bit, just to do it all over again.

Does this sound vaguely familiar? Are you busy, so so busy, going through the motions? Are you constantly seeking what’s next, feeling like you’re “stuck” going to classes or doing this assignment, or working that job? Feeling like if you were just doing “blank” you’d be happy?

Christians, this is NOT how we should live! We are called to a life of ABUNDANCE, a life to the fullest, a life of joy and peace. And yet, we settle for going through the motions: for dull, discontent, and dissatisfied living. We let our slumped shoulders and our droopy eyes affect every aspect of our being. Our physical posture leads to a heart posture far from what our Savior offers us.

So we see the problem: Christ has offered us abundance in His name, joy that overflows and radiates, but we live as anybody else does, purposeless lives outside of ourselves, driven by selfish ambition and hopes for “the next best thing.” So, my brothers and sisters, what are we going to do about it?

How are we going to live differently?

Why must we live differently?? We live for a greater purpose! We are serving someone greater than ourselves and that is our Lord Jesus Christ! Our purpose is to glorify the Father in everything we do and to pursue Him in every activity he has allowed us to partake in. Our purpose is to honor God by pursuing excellence in every facet of life. Our purpose is to represent Jesus to the nations by walking in the joyous perspective of his victory. But, friends, as believers, we do not lack this knowledge! We knowour purpose, we know what God calls us to and the life he offers us in himself. But head knowledge that does not travel down to your heart will not influence your soul.

We cannot simply recognize our purpose, but we must walk in it and step into the freedom Christ has freely given us.

I believe in a world where I can wake up full of life, excited for the assignments, schooling, and workouts God has placed before me. I believe in a purpose driven life that values honoring and pursuing Christ over all. I believe in a Christian community that holds each other accountable in positivity and gratitude for what God offers us. I believe in the Body of Christ and the familial bonds that help us embrace change and a new perspective. I believe in us, because we as believers house the most powerful tool inside of us: The Holy Spirit. And by his guidance and by his conviction, the dullness fades. We daily remind ourselves of Christ’s sacrifice and of the purpose-driven life he calls us to and there is nothing in this world that can remove that victory.  There is nothing in this world that can slump our stature. There is nothing in this world that can weigh us down and keep us from walking in the eternal life and freedom we have from the moment of our conversion.

So let’s wake up, let’s make our coffee, but let’s begin a new intentional day. A day that sees opportunities, assignments, and busyness as moments of purposeful praise to our perfect God.