What is Abundant Life? (part 1)

Question: are you living an abundant life?

Or maybe here’s a better one: what is an abundant life?

I look at my life in comparison to those around me, let’s be real here, we all do it.  Sometimes I can get to thinking that my life doesn’t measure up.  Then there are other times where I feel like the luckiest person I know.

My brain comprehends that I have more than the vast majority of people in the world.  But I don’t have more than the majority of people in my world.  There’s always someone who does what I do, only better.  There’s always someone who has a finished and polished life that makes mine look like rags.

When I ask myself what an abundant life is, I come up with more questions.  I don’t know how to answer it.  It’s so subjective.

But one thing is very, very true.  I want it.

Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  That means that anything in my life that is destructive or subtractive and leading away from Him is not from Him.  There are others in our lives that the enemy uses to distract us.  They seemingly are part of the flock as well, but they got in their own way, by climbing over the fence.  They live life the way they want.  And they won’t be spending eternity in heaven as long as they refuse to come into the pasture through the gate.

See, the enemy wants to destroy my life, and I let him get a pretty good try by allowing him to reek havoc in my head.  I agree with the lies that incessantly try to break in enough that I know my life isn’t what it could be.  He uses my thought life as well as the people who’s opinions I care about to lead me away from my precious Shepherd.

Sometimes, I am like a puppy chasing a butterfly.  I’m likely to wander after distraction right off a cliff.

And sometimes, I feel like I am barely surviving.  Barely scraping by.  Barely holding on.

Life abundant.  This passage is all about Jesus.  He’s the only way to life.  There are other ways that seem good, but they only lead to death and destruction.  Not only did Jesus lay His life down for me, but He continually cares for me.  He’s a shepherd, a good shepherd.  One that speaks often enough that me, a simple sheep, knows His voice.

He didn’t just die so I could live forever in heaven someday.  He died so I could have life right now.

And the life that He gives isn’t just me being physically alive.  It’s an abundant life.  A life where Jesus, as my God and Shepherd, provides safety and comfort, provision and salvation.  Salvation is not a promise for someday.  Salvation starts with believing that Jesus died for my sins and rose from the dead and defeated death and sin and Satan and already has Victory over darkness.

It starts there.

But it continues my whole life.

The word there in John 10:10….abundant….it means what you think it means: exceeding, over and above, more than is necessary, superior, surpassing, something further.

But here’s the really interesting thing about this verse.  The word life?  It’s the Greek word zoe, which means much more than alive.  It means:

of the absolute fullness of life, life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever. (BLB.com)

This is the life promised to us: an absolutely full life, and then something further.  A life that will last forever, but also starts right now.  Eternity that starts now.  A life that begins with a heartbeat, a response to the love of Jesus.  A decision that takes us farther and further than we can imagine.

This is our God.  A Father in heaven who sent His son to communicate something vital to us: HE LOVES US.  And He hates separation.  He longs for reconciled hearts.  He wants intimacy with me.  With you.  He desires you.

Access to the abundant life begins with Jesus.  A life with Him transforms us completely, if we allow it.  Eternal salvation is given when we believe, but waiting with a ticket in hand for eternity isn’t enough for me.  I want more than that.  I want a full life now, a life filled with expectancy.  A life where I partner with the Holy Spirit to release God’s glory on the earth.

I want to follow the Spirit’s leading in every single thing I say and do.  As believers, we are new creations.  This is when new life begins, a real life, with eternal perspective.  We get to be rooted and grounded in God’s love.  We get the Holy Spirit as a guiding light.  We don’t have to live in a skewed mindset, tortured by thoughts and voices and questions, constantly fighting back darkness, barely surviving.  We can thrive in our grace given to us by a Papa God who loves us so much that His son took all the condemnation, shame, and pain we could possible muster in a lifetime, and crucified it.  He faced a cross full of death, so I could carry a cross full of life, a cross of hope, an easy burden to carry because the weight has been lifted.

Prayer

Oh Jesus, I can’t imagine the pain and turmoil on your sweet face as you went through what you did for me.  You knew it was worth it, but you were dreading it with every fiber of your being, and I am sorry you had to do this, but I am so grateful, too, because it means I can be with you forever.  I get to be your Bride, and I want to be ready for you.  I want the life you paid for, right here, right now.  I choose that life, so help me to let go of the things that aren’t a part of that.  The more I cling to you, the more I understand how good you are.  Reveal more of your goodness and love in my life!  Release that abundant life in me, show me where it is in my life right now, and show me how to have more.  There’s always more of you to have!  Blow up the box I’ve put you in, shatter my ideology.  I want to know your Truth, and let go of everything else.  You are perfect.  I am so blessed.  Thank you, Papa, for giving me Your Son.  AMEN.