This week, I heard a statement about how some of us are “living” while others are merely “existing.” It occurred to me, this sounds like a “Word from the Lord!” Let’s talk about this topic a bit.
In the Bible, it says “to live” emphasizes a vibrant, active and fulfilling life, often with a spiritual or relational dimension. This term emphasizes a quality of life, a way of living and a type of life. It can refer to living unto God, living in a particular way, or living a life characteristic of a resurrected life.
Jesus uses this term when talking about the “abundant life” he offers (John 10:10), highlighting a life filled with purpose, joy and connection.
Let’s look at some examples: Are you doing what you were called to do? How do you know? Well, let’s take my own story.
Years before I finally got my shot to have my very own radio show, I remember looking up Black radio stations up and down the East Coast. With no experience, I tried to convince any radio station to take a chance and hire me. Feeling determined, my resume was in the mail day after day and every week, for several months, until I finally gave up.
My thoughts were still focused on finding a way to be a radio personality. It was my inner knowing! Years later, I did finally get my chance. My dream never went away, that’s how I know that I am now “living” my dream! I’m doing what I was meant to do, and it feels good!
Do you have something that seemingly has a pull on your life, and it won’t let you go? It is likely that this thing that will not go away is asking you to give birth to an idea. This new idea may seem a bit difficult to make come true, but it is the thing that causes one man to live, while another man only exists. You can make your dream come true too, one way or another. The key is, “never give up on your dream.”
On the other hand, “to exist” describes the mere state of being, physical life, or a state of being alive, without necessarily implying a meaningful or purposeful life. You wake up each day. You do the same thing over and over. You clean your house, wash clothes, take care of your family and often put yourself on the back burner. You are not anxious about your job, but it pays the bills. Here is where your life of merely existing can change. Wake up that dream that is getting dust on it, up on the shelf. Dust that dream off, and go for it.
Recently, I saw Omarosa Manigault graduating from Southern University Law Center with her master’s in business degree and law degree. This was a lifelong dream she had carried for many years.
She talked about how she asked President Bill Clinton for a letter when she worked at the White House many years ago. He did the letter, but she put her dream off, due to the TV show “The Apprentice.” It was taking up so much time. However, Omarosa is now married to a pastor, and her dream never left her spirit. So she went back to school, and she did what she had always dreamed of. She is planning to work at Johnnie Cochran’s law firm to get her start!
Omarosa said, “This day is a culmination of a promise I made to myself.” That’s how you do it. You never give up on your dream, and no matter how many years it may take, you move forward and get that thing done. You will feel so great about yourself.
When it comes to your purpose, “living” implies a purpose and meaning to life, often rooted in faith and relationship with God. Existing focuses on the mere fact of being alive, without necessarily implying a specific purpose. “Living” emphasizes the quality of life, such as joy, fulfillment and connection. Existing does not necessarily imply a positive quality of life. It could be that mostly folks just make do with things.
My mother is with the Lord, has been for the past 25 years, but though she was the best housewife, mother, cook and housekeeper, she often mentioned how she wished she could have been a nurse, working at the hospital, caring for patients. She was existing. To live would have meant she could have gone to school to become a nurse and actually begin to work at the hospital.
Finally, “living” often implies a relationship with God and a commitment to His ways. Existing can be in relation to other people or things, but it doesn’t necessarily have a spiritual dimension.
Lyndia Grant is a speaker/writer living in the D.C. area. Her radio show, “Think on These Things,” airs Fridays at 6 p.m. on 1340 AM (WYCB), a Radio One station. To reach Grant, go to her website, www.lyndiagrant.com, email lyndiagrantshowdc@gmail.com or call 240-602-6295. Follow her on X @LyndiaGrant and on Facebook.
