What Is The Abundant Life? Can I Have It, Please?
As I stared into the mirror, there was that rounded moon shaped face. The “buffalo hump” between my shoulders was beginning to go down; but, no away. Lingering effects from the long year of steroids to just barely stay alive; until, they finally had removed the colon. The surgical scars crisscrossed my body distorting whatever shape had previously been mine. Yet, those scars were few compared to the emotional scars that were within my heart. I had grown tired and weary of this journey. All alone, I stared into the darkness. I had been a dutiful little Christian and bore all the trials as they came with a stoicism and steady face. A stoicism I had learned during the years of abuse—a stoicism that you kept it all deep within. Don’t let anyone from out there see the real you; they will only hurt you. Oh, yes; God was my refuge. The only one I could turn to and I would continue to trust Him. Yet, abundant life? What was that?
I was alive. I had won the horrific battle against breast cancer (at least the first rounds). I had survived the steroids and meds of ulcerative colitis and the surgery to remove my colon. Financially I was in a hole so deep, I might never come out of it. Did I mention, I was also recently divorced? Perhaps trying to avoid saying, “I failed again!!” Yes, fool that I was I had remarried after having been a widow for two years; but, that ended in only heartbreak. Still, I was alive. My daughter was happily married and living in California. My sons were both off to study, Alberto at the University of Missouri and Ron in New Jersey at Joe Kubert’s School of Art. Could I say my life was abundant? Abundant with what—pain, sorrow, suffering, failure, loneliness? So, when in 2002, they found the mass on the head of the pancreas; a part of me thought this was God finally taking me home. I was tired. The journey had seemed so long. I wanted to go home to God. Little did I know that God had a very different plan!! His plan was to show me how to live life abundantly full of joy in Him. So, what is the abundant Christian life?
THE PROMISE OF JESUS
Jesus said, “10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep” (John 10) So what is the abundant life?
DOES ABUNDANT LIFE MEAN PROSPERITY?
If we look at the early Christians, we know some of what it doesn’t mean. It doesn’t mean a life free from trials, financially prosperous, or full of worldly fame and fortune. Some Christians may be blessed with all those things and praise God for them. Yet, the majority of us don’t and shouldn’t measure our faith based upon some “prosperity gospel.” Indeed the prosperity gospel is the very thing that can rob and steal away from us the joy that is ours in Christ Alone.
ABUNDANT LIFE? OR BUMPY ROADS?
I may have traveled a very bumpy and winding road to get here; but, I have learned what it is to find abounding, abundant joy in Christ. I have learned how to rest in Him and trust Him with every circumstance; knowing, that He has the best plan for my life. My life is full and blessed with treasures of joy, hope, love, security, and peace. That is much more than what any prosperity preacher can offer you. I know; because I have been there.
WHAT DOES GOD MEAN BY ABUNDANT LIFE?
Let us look at a few scriptures which are discussing abundance from God and by God.
1. “6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty” (Exodus 34) Here we see that God’s abundance toward us is full of mercy, grace, patience, goodness, truth and justice.
2. “7 How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light” (Psalm 36). In Him, we find the rivers of joy—we find ourselves satisfied with all that He gives.
3. 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3). When we see all that HE has abundantly provided by mercy through Jesus Christ; how, can we ever worry about the trivialities of this life. He who gave us His best will surely provide what is best for our lives, each and every day. Only He knows what is best to bring me into the fullness of joy in Him.
4. “12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief” (1 Timothy 1)
Whatever, dear friends you are facing today, know this. Christ died that you might find abundant life in Him. Abundant joy, hope, love, and peace can be found in Christ. This I know—keep seeking Him, keep praying, and keep going. He has a perfect plan for your life.
The song I chose for you today is ALIVE
The artist that drew the picture “A Broken and Contrite Heart” featured on my header and who designed my logo is Ronald Barba. Feel free to email me at Artedabarba@gmail.com or purchase his art at http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/ronald+barba/all
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.