"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11
Many people think of abundant living as having lots of money, things, friends, vacations, etc. But the Bible puts the focus on intangible gifts such as grace. If we are looking at our lives from an eternal, biblical perspective, grace, mercy, righteousness and redemption are so very much more valuable than anything this earth has to offer.
Jesus offers life! He tenderly cares for us like a shepherd for his sheep. He gave up everything He had the right to keep, for the sake of people (you and I and every other human) who treated Him like dirt. He offers us true abundance in our lives here on earth, if we choose to follow Him. There is such joy even in the painful process of giving up our wants and ways in exchange for His. I know from experience that "the thief" tries to keep his death grip on us, and sometimes we make it easy for him! If only we would keep our eyes on the prize, taking time to really know Him through Scripture and prayer, we would more clearly see His hand reaching for us. If we trust Jesus as our Savior, we are free from sin! We are free from the bondage with which "the thief" wishes to destroy us! We aren't obligated to stay in the enemy's clutches. We can shake off his grip and walk in a life of abundance.
Abundant living of this kind begins in our minds. What are we focused on? My husband, in his counseling of drug offenders, points out that we aren't likely to be successful if we only focus on what we shouldn't be doing or what we're leaving behind. We're likely to gain victory if we focus on where we want to go and have a game plan in mind! If we focus on our Shepherd, it will be easier to stop sin at its beginning stages by choosing not to entertain ideas that don't please Him.
And what about the abundant life we have to look forward to in eternity? There's nothing we could have done to earn that. Jesus bought that for us with His blood. What could be more "abundant" than life with Him forever and ever?!
True abundance, lived by the Holy Spirit, is so much more rewarding than any bounty of material possessions or luxuries the world has to offer. Thank You, Jesus, for what You have done for us!
Further Reading
Luke 12:14-21
Romans 5:15-21
2 Corinthians 6:6-9
1 Timothy 1:12-17
