What does it mean to live an abundant life? Is that even possible when we’re all under stay at home orders or other imposed restrictions? Is it possible when we’re assaulted by illness, trials, pain, and suffering?
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel as if I’m just trying to make it through life in one piece!
Rhymezone.com defines abundant as, “present in great quantity.” WebstersDictionary1828.com provides a deeper meaning for this word. They describe it as: “Plentiful; in great quantity; fully sufficient; as an abundant supply. In scripture, abounding; having in great quantity; overflowing with.
Wow, that sounds great, doesn’t it? There have been times in my journey with chronic illness where I’ve had to battle for life itself. But I’m not just in a battle for life, I’m in a battle for abundant life!
I don’t want to just exist. I don’t want to mearly live. I want to live an abundant life, a full life, a life overflowing with all the best things God has for me. But how?
How do we live an abundant life when there are so many things trying to bring us down?
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John 10:10 gives us the answer. Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
There are so many things out there trying to rob us of life. The Devil would like nothing more than for us to be completely destroyed, useless to God and others. Other people may try to rob us of the joy in life, they might try to bring us down and make us as miserable as they are. Sometimes illness tries to steal our physical lives.
But God!
Jesus came so that we can not just live, but live abundantly. The Greek word for life used in this verse is zoe. According to BlueLetterBible.com zoe means, “life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for ever.”
Um, wow! Now that’s life! But Jesus came not just to give us that kind of life, but life abundantly. BlueLetterBible.com tells us that abundantly is the Greek word perissos, which means, “superior, extraordinary, surpassing, uncommon.”
This kind of superior, extraordinary, surpassing, and uncommon life can be ours through Jesus. It’s not something we can find on our own, but it’s a gift that is freely given to us by Jesus. It’s why He came.
Yes, He came to die for our sins and make us right with God. But that’s not all. He came so that we could have an abundant life here on earth and forever with Him in Heaven.
This abundant, extraordinary, uncommon life can be ours right now, in spite of our circumstances. In spite of illness, in spite of trials, in spite of quarentine.
For too many years I wasn’t living this abundant life. I was struggling to find hope, searching for joy. I knew Jesus, but I didn’t understand how I could walk in freedom in spite of my circumstances. I let my circumstances rule in my life instead of Jesus.
But God didn’t let me stay defeated. He used others to remind me who I am in Christ. He taught me that I’m fully united with Jesus and that means that I can exchange my life of brokeness for Jesus’ life of fullness. He showed me that even in the midst of illness and difficult circumstances, I can live a full and abundant life. He set me free!
The life Jesus came to give us is a life of joy and freedom. Now that’s a life I want to live! How about you?
If you’ve never experienced the freedom and abundant life found in Jesus Christ, you don’t have to wait. You can invite Him into your life today. Romans 10:9 says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Just talk to God like you’re talking to your best friend. Tell Him that you’re sorry for the things you’ve done wrong, the sin in your life. Tell Him that you believe in Him, thank Him for sending Jesus to die for your sins, and tell Him you want Him to be your life.
If you’ve started a relationship with Jesus today, all of Heaven is rejoicing! I’d love to celebrate with you too. Let me know!
Living the abundant life,
Josie
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” ~Galatians 2:20