A More Abundant Life

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

A life more abundantly. I would love to tell you that I can grasp the fullness of what it means but I honestly cannot. I can visualize it with my hopes and dreams, but sadly due to the fall of mankind, the life we know has its ins and outs of lack.

Imagine a God so kind that even despite our disobedience he brings a message of his desire being that we might have an abundant life. A life so full of joy, peace, and prosperity that the smallest lack doesn’t even put a damper in the abundance that we have. 

Yes, Him coming to give us life speaks to our eternal salvation, but Jesus also desires for us to be fulfilled on this earth as well. I think it is a common misconception that because we are meant to bear our cross like Jesus, that we are supposed to suffer through this life as well. While we will each bear our own sufferings throughout time, some more than others, there is no way that the God of peace would hold back His peace from you while you’re here on Earth. The place where you need it the most. When we partake of Him, it is not just His sufferings but all He has to offer as well. His joy, peace, prosperity, love, happiness, etc are all ours to receive of. 

Many times people say, "well God gave me this sickness for a reason". Truly how can sickness fit into the description of an abundant life? If your health is stolen to the place where you are now ill, there is only one who fits the description of a thief and it is NOT Jesus. 

Scripture says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11

The requirement for the fullness of joy and everything that He has to give us, is that we be in His presence. That we sit and ask of Him what it is that we need believing that we will receive and we will have it. There is no lack in the Lord’s hand. He desires that your life be filled with abundance in every area. Take note of the words that are listed to describe Him/His ways: life, presence, fullness, joy, pleasures. 

If there is sickness, Jesus came to heal -Matthew 8:7,14-17

If there is sin/iniquity, Jesus came to forgive and redeem- Matthew 9:1-6

If there is death, Jesus came to bring life- John 11:25-26, 43-44

If there is darkness, Jesus came to bring light- John 1:4-5, John 8:12

If there is blindness, Jesus came to bring sight- Mark 10:50-52

If there is deafness, Jesus came to bring hearing- Mark 7:32-37

If there is any who are brokenhearted and wounded, the Holy Spirit is here to bring comfort- 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Psalm 147:3

There is so much more to an abundant life that while in our lack, we don't consider. Abundance is not in the fullness of things or people, but abundance is found in Jesus and in the power that He gave to us through His conquering of death. 

Get in the presence of God and seek Him to receive the more abundant life that He has for you. 

“Praise the Lord, my soul;

All my inmost being, praise his holy name. 

Praise the Lord, my soul, 

And forget not all his benefits-

Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

Who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 

Who satisfies your desires with good things

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness

And justice for all the oppressed. 

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, 

So great is his love for those who fear hill 

As far as the east is from the west, 

so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 

As a father has compassion on his children

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;

For he knows how we are formed, 

He remembers that we are dust.

The life of mortals is like grass, 

they flourish like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone. 

And =its place remembers it no more. 

But from everlasting to everlasting

The Lord’s love is with those who fear him,

And his righteousness with their children’s children-

with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven,

and his kingdom rules over all. 

Praise the Lord, you his angels,

you mighty ones who do his bidding,

who obey his word. 

Praise the Lord, all his heavenly hosts,

you his servants who do his will. 

Praise the Lord, all his works 

Everywhere in his dominion. 

Praise the Lord, my soul.”

Psalm 103