Take Up Your CrossSample

Abundant Life

A New York City ticker tape parade is a unique experience. The parade for the New York Yankees World Series win in 1999 was like walking through a life-sized snow globe. Tons of confetti filled the air as the roar of the crowd told the world, that the team had made it. The players on the floats were living the life.

John 10:10 says that Christ came to give His followers abundant life. Does that mean I’ll one day have my own ticker tape parade?

Our understanding of an abundant life depends greatly on what we believe the goals of life should be. For a professional athlete, the abundant life might involve being honored in the canyon of heroes. For a farmer, it might involve productive crops and full barns. For someone recovering from a spinal injury, it might simply involve being able to walk again. From wealth and fame to health and family, we all have different expectations for life.

When we feel we are experiencing all we were meant to, our lives feel abundant. When we don’t, we feel like we’re missing out. The problem is sometimes our feelings can deceive us. We don’t always see our life’s purpose clearly.

Jesus’ disciples thought they were supposed to be fishermen. To them, an abundant life might have meant a good catch. Yet Jesus had a very different idea in mind. He knew the potential of their lives. He understood that over 2,000 years later, we would still be studying their words, and finding God as a result. Their simple lives could be lived abundantly if they learned to do two simple things:

• Trust Jesus.
• Follow Jesus.

Because of their choices, millions of people throughout history have come to know the love of God. They literally changed the world. But they needed to readjust their definition of an abundant life. They needed to align their purpose with God’s.

We need to do the same.

The question is will we trust Him? Will we follow him?

The Christian journey is unlike any other. It will be filled with moments of joy, sorrow, turmoil, and peace. Yet through it all, the same God who created you, will be with you, loving you, and cheering you on. What more could we ask for?

Are you living the abundant life? Is there anything you could do differently?

For more help living the Christian life please visit, FamilyLife.com.