blog 18: the abudent life project

What does an abundant life look like?

For me it used to be all about the things.. having the nicest car, having my hair and nails done. Had to have the shoes, jewelry, clothes, latest phone, and the next trendy thing. An abundant life for me use to look like THINGS. I had to always be doing something. I could never just be still, going out as much as often was what “satisfied” me. If I had all that, that was good. That was a good abundant life for me.

Till it wasn’t anymore.

Before I knew Jesus I had to keep feeding myself stuff. Stuff stuff stuff. Always the next best thing. We can be like that even as followers of Jesus right?? We think like that right?

“If I could just get this amount of money then I’d have a satisfying life” “If I just marry this person I’ll be set” “if I can just get HERE then I’ll be good” , and we even pray for things like this which is NOT bad, BUT they are NOT how you get the abundant life. They will never satisfy that part of us that wants wants wants, needs needs needs. At some point these things will run out, fade away or disappoint you. They do not last.

So what IS an abundant life? How do we get that? We all want it.

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John‬ ‭10‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Another translation reads:

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

And..

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Jesus is the way of an abundant life. To accept Jesus and follow Him. To be a sheep and be lead by Him. To ask for guidance in ever part of life.

Most time we want to lead. We want to call the shots on where to go next, without even seeking God first. We do what we FEEL or THINK is right. Which leads us to become tired, worried and overwhelmed.

The abundant life looks totally contrary to what you may think. It looks totally opposite to the ways of the world and our own way of thinking. The ways of Jesus are backwards. Loving God is the most fulfilling thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. I’ve never in my life been so at peace and joyful. Do I have hard days? Do I struggle with temptation and frustrations? Of course! But I feel I’ve come to this mystery of a fulfilled life and it’s as Jesus says. Coming in through Him. Knowing Jesus more and more every single day will lead you to the life you so desperately crave and desire.

The first step is accepting Jesus. Inviting Him into your heart and your life. Coming to the realization that you NEED a Savior and you NEED Him every second of everyday. That you cannot do it on your own.

Second is reading His word daily. So much so it becomes who YOU are. Doing this corrects us, teaches us His ways and encourage us in life.

Last is applying everything you read into your actual day to day life. Doing as Jesus shows through His word. Becoming more and more like Him. To put in to practice all we’ve learned and read or to go with OUR OWN WAY. Every day and situation is an opportunity to be more like Jesus or more like the world.

You cannot have an abundant, fulfilled, satisfying life without knowing Jesus. Without following Jesus. If you’re reading this and you are a follower of Jesus but you don’t feel fulfilled, I would challenge you to take those 3 steps. As Jesus says in this passage, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. The devil, the world, the things of this world will only leave you hurting or chasing for more and more. It comes to steal your joy, kill your hope, and destroy your peace.

We were meant to have an abundant life!

We were meant to have a satisfying life!

A full life!

Even in the hardest of times it IS possible to have this because of HIM.

My prayer is that you would start on that path to get to know this abundant life.

Jesus did not die on a cross for you to be left hopeless, and in despair. He said I have come so that they may have LIFE and LIFE more ABUNDANTLY. Amen.

LOVE YOU FRIENDS.

ONE LOVE