Finding the Abundant Life
I've written over the past few weeks about peace.
The Peace Index.
His Perfect Peace.
My peace being robbed from me.
It's been a very introspective period of my life as I've begun to look at who I am, who I want to be, where I am succeeding and where I am failing. I've been looking deeply at my path in life and trying to identify areas where I need to grow and change. I've been trying to see why I am so exhausted all the time, how I can reach that place of enjoying life again.
Here's the thing: God created us to live an abundant life (John 10:10), and if we are doing anything less than thriving, we are missing what God has for us.
I think we all need to ask ourselves several questions:
- What does living an abundant life mean to you personally? For me, an abundant life is one where I can share the love of Christ with others. It's a life where I have opportunities to pour myself out as a drink offering, loving and serving others. It's a life where I can dream and imagine how to give and help others, especially single moms. It's a life where I am in control of my time and my resources, allowing me plenty of time to soak in the love of the Father.
- What in my life prevents me from experiencing the abundance God has for me? In my case, it's a lack of time and energy and resources. I have been so incredibly blessed over the years! But, so much of my time goes into things that are not my passion and purpose.
- What do I need to change to achieve the purpose for which He created me? And here's the ultimate question. You see, no one can change your circumstances. No one can create a perfect situation where you magically find your purpose. Only you can decide what changes need to be made to allow you to walk in your purpose. And only I can decide what I need to change to function in my purpose.
Can I just say change is scary? Do we leave the comfort of the known to step into the unknown? Is the grass greener on the other side or are we step out of a hard situation to get into a devastating one?
We never truly know. And that's why it is so important to walk closely with the Father, seeking His face and His direction with every step we take. That, my friend, is called walking by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Living a life of faith is not for the faint of heart. Think about some of the things God called His people to do, how He called them to walk by faith and not by sight.
Noah - Noah was told to build a huge boat because rain was going to fall from the sky. Do you realize rain had never fallen from the sky? Can you imagine how foolish he must have felt? Yet, God was true to His word and saved Noah and his family because Noah acted on his faith (Genesis 6).
Abraham - Abraham's entire life was a lesson of acting on his faith. He believed God would be faithful to give him a son even when he and his wife were way, way, way beyond child-bearing age. Then, he walked in obedience, taking his only son to be sacrificed, believing God would raise him from the dead. God was right there with him, providing as only Jehovah Jireh can (Genesis 20-22).
Moses - Moses was told to tell the Israelites they would be able to eat meat. He did as God instructed him, willing to look foolish out of obedience to God. He acted on his faith, and God provided (Exodus 16).
We could go on and on, talking about Rahab and Joshua and David and Elijah. We could rehearse the ways God always took care of His children, always came through on His promises. We could talk about God's faithfulness, how He always rewards those who seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
And guess what? God is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8)! The same God who parted the Red Sea can open doors for us today! The same God who was true to His promises then is the same God who will be true to His promises today. The same God who fought for His people then will fight for His people now.
It simply requires that we listen carefully, discern His voice and His direction, and then walk in obedience.
And that, my friends, is how we live the abundant life He came to give us.
I know what God is calling me to do. What about you? What is He telling you? What are you arguing with Him about? What step of obedience are you delaying?
Please remember that if you are delaying obedience, you are also delaying the many, many blessings He has planned for you. What are you waiting for?
