In a world where so many of us struggle with feelings of boredom, exhaustion, and a lack of purpose, the teachings of Venerable Fulton Sheen shine as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Drawing from scripture, personal anecdotes, and timeless wisdom, Sheen challenges us to reconsider how we approach life, energy, and faith. His message is clear: to live fully and meaningfully, we must be generous with ourselves—our time, our love, our energy—and embrace a life of active faith and self-giving.

This article explores the profound insights shared by Venerable Fulton Sheen on the theme of “wasting your life”—not in the sense of squandering it, but in the beautiful, sacrificial way of pouring oneself out for others. Through stories from the Bible, reflections on faith, and practical encouragement, Sheen invites us to work harder, love deeper, and live with more purpose than ever before.

The Power of Energy and the Call to Work Harder

One of the central themes Fulton Sheen emphasizes is the incredible energy that lies dormant within most of us. He recounts a humorous story about a young boy’s imaginative Sunday school lesson where Moses defeats the Egyptians not through miracles but through pontoon bridges and airfield engineers. The boy admits that if he told the real story, no one would believe it. This story serves as a metaphor for how people often misunderstand or underestimate true power and effort.

Sheen himself experienced the power of energy when he was “roasted” by the Friar’s Club, a humorous event where he was the subject of jokes and dramatizations. During the roast, a moment stood out where the “Holy Father” character whispered, “Work hard.” This simple but profound message became the foundation for Sheen’s call to action: most of us live below our energy level, and happiness requires pushing ourselves to the limits of our ability.

Supporting this, Sheen references hypnotism experiments where men, after being hypnotized to believe they were stronger, lifted weights 40% heavier than before. Conversely, when told they were weaker, their strength diminished accordingly. This illustrates the power of the mind and belief in unlocking our potential. The lesson is clear: our mindset and willingness to work hard can dramatically influence our performance in all areas of life.

Breaking Free from Indifference

Sheen identifies indifference—apathy and not caring—as one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. He suggests that perhaps our Lord suffers more from our indifference than from any direct cruelty, referencing a poignant World War I poem by Studard Kennedy. The poem contrasts the brutal crucifixion of Jesus with the modern indifference of passersby in a city who simply let him die without a single act of cruelty but also without compassion.

“When Jesus came to Golgotha they nailed him on a tree… When Jesus came to Birmingham they only passed him by.”

This image of silent neglect is a powerful indictment of modern spiritual apathy. Sheen pleads with us not to be bored or indifferent in life, arguing that boredom stems from a lack of love. When we love, we find joy and purpose; when we do not, life becomes dull and meaningless.

Learning to Waste Yourself: The Beauty of Sacrificial Giving

Sheen offers a counterintuitive but profound lesson from the Bible about “wasting” oneself. This is not about reckless abandon but about generous self-giving. He tells the story of King David during a battle with the Philistines. David longs for the water from the well at Bethlehem, his hometown, and soldiers risk their lives to bring it to him. Yet, David pours the water out on the ground, saying he is not worthy to drink it because it was bought at such a cost.

This act of “wasting” the water is a metaphor for the kind of generosity Sheen advocates. Saving things solely for ourselves—whether it be our time, our talents, or our love—can spoil them. When we hoard these gifts, they turn into lust, greed, or pride. But when we pour ourselves out for others, we create a legacy of love and meaning.

The Woman Who Broke the Perfume Bottle

Sheen then recounts the story of a sinful woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive perfume, breaking the bottle and pouring out the entire contents. This act was not measured or cautious; it was extravagant and complete. Some criticized her for not saving the perfume for the poor, but Jesus defended her, saying she had prepared him for burial.

This story beautifully illustrates the idea of giving without reservation. True love and faith often require breaking the vessel, surrendering all we have without holding back. Sheen encourages us to “walk the second mile” and “give the cloak as well as the coat,” urging unlimited generosity in our interactions with others.

Faith That Moves Mountains: Walking on Water

Faith is at the heart of Sheen’s message. He tells the well-known story of Peter walking on water toward Jesus during a storm on the Sea of Galilee. Peter’s initial step onto the water was a miraculous act of faith, but when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the winds and waves, he began to sink.

Sheen points out that Peter’s ability to swim is recorded in the Bible, indicating that his sinking was not due to physical inability but spiritual doubt. The lesson is profound: faith requires keeping our focus on Christ, not on the seemingly insurmountable challenges around us.

Jesus’ words to Peter—“Oh man of little faith, why did you doubt?”—remind us that faith can enable us to do the impossible. Sheen encourages us to believe the incredible so that we can accomplish the impossible in our lives.

A Modern Miracle: The Power of Prayer

To illustrate the power of faith and prayer, Sheen shares a story from football coach Joe Paterno’s family. During a game where Penn State was trailing with only 50 seconds left, Paterno’s mother, a woman of strong faith but little understanding of football, prayed fervently in the bathroom. Miraculously, Penn State scored a touchdown, attempted a two-point conversion twice, and ultimately won the game.

This story highlights the often unseen but powerful role of faith and prayer in our lives. It underscores Sheen’s call to believe in the incredible—faith can move mountains and change outcomes in ways we cannot predict or control.

Living Generously: The Call to Be “Other Jesuses”

Sheen closes his message with a stirring challenge: if Jesus is truly God, then he should be able to make other “Jesuses.” In other words, we are called to manifest Christ in our lives so clearly that others recognize His presence through our actions.

He tells a moving story of a boy in Romania who, because of his difficult circumstances, doubted Jesus’ divinity, reasoning that if Jesus were God, He would have made more like Himself. Sheen uses this to remind us that we are called to be living witnesses of Christ. Our faith must be active, visible, and transformative.

When others see our lives, they should say, “Thou hast been with Christ.” This is the ultimate testament to a life well-lived—a life not wasted but poured out generously for the glory of God and the good of others.

Applying Fulton Sheen’s Teachings to Our Lives

What practical lessons can we draw from Fulton Sheen’s reflections on “wasting your life”? Here are some key takeaways:

• Work to Your Full Potential: Don’t settle for living below your energy level. Challenge yourself to work harder and push beyond perceived limits, knowing that your mindset can unlock hidden strength.
• Reject Indifference: Combat boredom and apathy by cultivating love—for God, for others, and for life itself. Love energizes and motivates us to live fully.
• Be Generous with Yourself: Give freely of your time, talents, and love. Don’t hoard your gifts but pour them out like David poured out the water and the woman broke the perfume bottle.
• Keep Your Eyes on Christ: In moments of doubt and fear, focus on Jesus. Faith enables us to do the impossible when we trust fully and avoid distractions.
• Live as a Witness: Strive to be a living example of Christ’s love and holiness. Your life should inspire others to recognize and seek the presence of Jesus.

Overcoming Fatigue Through Generosity

Sheen also challenges the common notion that fatigue is simply a matter of limited energy. He explains that energy is renewed when we love and live in holiness. For example, Mother Teresa, despite her physically demanding work, never seemed tired because she poured out her life in service to others. This shows that self-giving can actually replenish our strength rather than deplete it.

A Life Not Wasted but Poured Out

Venerable Fulton Sheen’s message on “wasting your life” is a powerful call to live beyond selfishness, indifference, and spiritual lethargy. It is an invitation to embrace a life of generosity, faith, and energy—one where we give ourselves fully to God and neighbor.

By working harder, loving more deeply, and trusting Christ completely, we can transform our lives into testimonies of faith and hope. Like Peter walking on water, we are called to step out in faith, knowing that even if we falter, Christ’s hand will be there to catch us.

Ultimately, the greatest tragedy is not failing or falling but never trying, never giving, never loving fully. To waste your life, in the truest sense, is to hold back what God has given you. But to pour yourself out, like David’s water or the woman’s perfume, is to live a life remembered and blessed—one that reflects the love and glory of Christ.

May we all be inspired to “waste” our lives in this beautiful way: generously, courageously, and with unwavering faith.