Abundant Life
The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ~John 10:10
What is an abundant life? What does it look like? How is it lived?
This word abundance in John 10:10 means more than enough.
An abundant life means we have more than enough for our lives to be full and good and filled with His rich blessings. More than enough of Him to sustain us when we are pressed on every side. More than enough.
Does abundant living mean that we race around all day; work so hard that by day's end all we can do is hit the local fast food drive-through, grab our food, and fuel up on junk? Then hit the couch for an hour, go to bed and get up to do the same thing all over again? Or, is there abundance in slowing down a bit; pacing ourselves throughout the day, or shortening our day just a bit so that we have the energy to spend a slow and peaceful evening? Maybe spend a little time in the kitchen to cook real food? (food that fuels and gives life)
Does abundant living mean you work all the time so that you can fill up your bank account with money; all the while your life slips quietly by and you never make time for your greatest longings? Money can't satisfy and it certainly does not bring security.
Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. ~Proverbs 23:4-5
Have we set ourselves up so that we constantly grasp for more without even thinking about it? Our culture screams at us to reach for more. Our jobs demand that we give up our very lives. Is this God's will?
All the while as we reach and grasp for more, we can miss out on the blessings right in front of us.... a quiet sunrise, a walk with our loved one, a beautiful summer evening out on the deck.
We live so fast and furious. We go and go, and then we wonder why we drop in exhaustion sometimes.
Do we keep pressing for some far off day and think, "Once I get _________, (fill in the blank) I will slow down. Once I accomplish _______, or have X amount of dollars, or whatever it is you strive for, than I will start to enjoy my life? The Bible has something to say about that...
So he said, I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you." ~Luke 12: 18-20
Can I lovingly encourage you to slow down, to step back and breathe deep? What is that you want most in this one precious life? What is it that God is calling You to do? Or, is your life so busy that you can't hear Him whisper anymore? Do you need to make some changes?
Change is so hard! I get it. Yet, life is constantly changing so why do we fear it so much? Sometimes change is necessary so that you can live the abundant life that God wants for you. It may require great faith and great trust, but He is faithful and He will never let you go.
We can't have an abundant life and live at Mach speed.
The thief does not come except to steal and to kill, and to destroy.
The thief is sly and so subtle. He steals our time with busyness. He robs us of living, really living, by keeping us at Mach speed. He tries to kill our joy, rob us of strength and peace and fill us with fear and anxiety.
That is not God's will for us, abundant life is! A life of more than enough.
Pray with me....
Heavenly Father,
Let thy kingdom come! But, while we wait, open our eyes and cause us to look at how we really live. Help us to step back and to assess. Are we living the abundant life that You designed for us, or have we allowed the thief's plan for us to prevail? We want abundant life, not just a busy life! Help us to slow down and to see what is most important and to pursue it. Help us to seek first Your kingdom, not our own. Give us courage and faith to make changes. Provide for us in ways that we could not imagine as we trust You more and more. You are so faithful. Set us free from the love of money so that we don't trade our very lives to have it. Please pour out buckets of wisdom like ice water over our heads to jolt us awake. Show us what we need to change and how to do it. Show us what it means to live simple and thoughtful lives that give You glory. In Jesus Name, Amen
