Abundant Living

Hello!

(I wrote a blog like this a while back but wanted to reformat it to reflect where I am now. I hope you enjoy.)

I am a woman recovering from the mindset that, in order to live abundantly, I have to constantly be going and being busy. I say recovering because, while I once lived this way and believed this lie, I’m still working through it and battling against it. Living abundantly is realizing the life you have and actually living it, enjoying it, and that is what I have been working toward. Notice I didn’t say “trying” because I am doing it, working through it. To be honest, it can be hard to live this way. Not only does the enemy deceive, but you look around at others’ calendars and social media and wonder if you are doing it wrong.

If you look up the word abundant, it means “existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.” Jesus says in John 10:10, “A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” He came so that we might have a full life.

God is calling you to a full life……but what does that mean?

For one, we are no longer in the old. We are made new. We are to live a life full of purpose for Him and rooted in His promises. The old self is no longer present. Another thing is that we must live a life of worship. Worship is not necessarily a musical action; it is the life we should be living. Our lives should be a constant act of worship to the King. Thirdly, we must give. A life of abundance is not greedy. We are promised that we will receive abundantly, so we give, trusting that He provides in return. This can be challenging when it feels as though there is no fruit present, but I am learning more and more every day that the fruit is always present; I just stop noticing it at times.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“You reveal the path of life to me; in Your presence is abundant joy; at Your right hand are eternal pleasures.” (Psalm 16:11)

You know what is amazing? Jesus laid down His life so that we could live in a constant state of overflow. What are you doing for the overflow? Are you encountering Him so you can live from it? What are you letting fill you to the point that you cannot fully focus on God and allow Him to give you an abundant life? Are you being honest with God and praying that He would fill what is lacking? What is holding you back from abundant living? It cannot stop at salvation. It has to go deeper and deeper. It’s like the beach. You dip your toes in the water while standing in the sand, but then you keep walking and go deeper to explore more.

We were meant to live our lives with an understanding of what the cross accomplished for us. Jesus set us free to live the life we were created to live. Abundant living is for our spirits, bodies, and souls. Abundance is found in peace and joy. When we live abundant lives through the power of Jesus and His finished work on the cross, we become a source of life for others. Our testimonies are the fruit of God’s goodness in our lives.

Satan will try to distract you and pull you away from this. This is where he deceives with the lie that busy is better, but busy is distracting. How can you hear the still, steady voice when you are constantly going? Sunday morning chats are not enough, sister. It is daily time with Him. It is grabbing the Word and feasting on it. It is letting the Word nourish your heart, soul, and spirit. Then it is constant worship, communication, and prayer as you move through your day. It is reflecting with your friends on what the Lord is speaking to you and what you are studying. It is humility and vulnerability.

There is no special formula for abundant living. There is no step-by-step process. There is no certain way that I get right and you do not. But it is possible to live in abundance and from the overflow. I want you to find it, sister. I want to continue finding it. Let’s lock arms and walk in this together.