Playing Marbles with Diamonds

This is mainly directed at those of us that call ourselves believers.  We’ve talked about this before — and yet, I can’t shake it.

It still frustrates and burdens me how many of us, even with good intentions and spiritual hunger, miss out on the very life God has prepared for us. I say this with saddened empathy, not judgment. I miss it too — more often than I’d like to admit.

I will  repeat myself on purpose:

Life — glorious, meaningful, productive life as designed by God — is actually livable.

That’s not just a hope, it is  truth. And truth, by definition, is always true — independent of our feelings, our seasons, or our success rate. You and I can know the truth, agree with the truth, quote the truth — and still not live the truth. Truth doesn’t change, but it must be exercised and activated to be experienced.

So here’s the question: 
Are we truly living… or merely surviving… or just existing?

Many Aren’t Actually Living

Too many of us — even the sincere and well-meaning — are stuck in survival mode. We’re managing chaos, drifting on autopilot, reacting, going with today’s flow. Life becomes a series of survival tasks, not a divine calling.

We’re not steering with intention — and often we don’t even realize it.

Life is Meant to Be Lived — God’s Way

Again, life is livable. Deeply. Fully. Meaningfully.

How?
The One who designed life also provided the blueprint.

God, the Author of Life, understands how it works. He created it with wonder and meaning, with beauty and hardship, joy and growth, love and lessons. But it doesn’t work passively — it demands intentionality.

Real living flows against the current of this fallen world. If we don’t choose God’s current, we’ll be swept along by the world’s undertow. And with a crowd of weary companions, we’ll settle for “doing our best,” rather than living in His best.

His best comes through active surrender. Him literally through us.

“Be doers of the Word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)
“To obey is better than sacrifice…” (1 Samuel 15:22)

These aren’t just commandments — they are invitations to real life.

Warning: There Is No Neutral

We may think we’re coasting. But in the spiritual life, there is no neutral.

At every moment:
• God’s eyes are “roving to and fro throughout the earth, looking to strengthen those whose hearts are fully His.” (2 Chronicles 16:9)
• And at the same time, the enemy prowls “like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 P

eter 5:8)

You are always seen. Always pursued. The only question is: by whom?

If we’re not moving intentionally toward the Light, we’re being pulled subtly into shadow.

Playing Marbles with Diamonds

Too often, we treat the sacred casually. We handle treasure like it’s trinkets. We carry promises like they’re fortune cookies.

We play marbles with diamonds.

But life — real life — is meant to be lived awake.
Eyes open.
Ears attentive.
Hearts committed.
Intentionally dependent on the One who designed it all.

 

We were meant to live on purpose, with purpose, for a purpose.

A Call to Action

So… what would it look like to stop treating God’s gifts like toys? God’s words like advice or suggestions?

To stop drifting through life, and instead step into intentional, God-centered, love-soaked living?

This month — this day — choose to live.
Not just exist.

Not just survive.

But live — the way life was meant to be lived.

Go — and you will know.

I know, I’ve gone!

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