True Abundance
How would you define “abundance”? Is it having enough money to plan a cruise whenever you wish, or, knowing you have enough toilet paper in the house to last till next pay day? Frankly, I relate better to the latter than the former!
My definition of abundance has changed over the years. In the early days of our marriage, while raising two young children on a single income, just knowing that we had milk, toilet paper and laundry detergent in the house made me feel wealthy. Now, as an empty-nester, whenever I replenish the Keurig coffee cups on my kitchen counter I’m grateful for the abundance I enjoy.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary states that abundance is: an ample quantity; a profusion; wealth; or a relative degree of plentifulness. I like that term “plentifulness,” though my spell checker doesn’t. It reminds me that abundance is a biblical term because our God is limitless, abounding in splendor, power and grace; and I am His child!
Jesus told us that He has come that we may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). How sad that we can live in an affluent society, yet lack the abundant life Christ paid so much to give us!
True abundance is enjoying life centered on God’s favor and grace. It means living free from guilt and shame. It results from regularly confessing our sins and welcoming the cleansing work of our Good Shepherd. He loves us beyond measure, and offers us an abundance of joy and peace, and freedom from fear.
Who wouldn’t want such a life?
When our hearts are securely planted in God’s truth and His promises guide our hopes, we have a plentifulness that the world cannot give. Then we can “count it all joy” as the apostle James tells us to in James 1:2. We can fix our eyes on Heaven and know that our future is full of unimaginable blessings. We can dare to live as new creations, sloughing off the disappointments and hurts of our past
(2 Corinthians 5:17).
Yet abundant living requires a choice. We commit our wills, to either: follow the Lord Jesus Christ, making His priorities our own; or, continue to sit on the thrones of our lives, navigating life through the lens of selfishness. Which are you choosing today?
May you know the abundance of Christ’s Love and the hope of His Glory!
