Abundant Life

Jesus wants us to experience life to the full.  “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”(John 10:10).  He speaks to a rich and lavish blessing from God—abundant life.
 
To know God is to truly live.  “And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent”(John 17:3).  When we know him, we fulfill our purpose, connect with our maker, see ourselves rightly, and hold the promise of life beyond death.  Jesus came so that we could have this life and died to achieve it.
 
Yet abundant life speaks to having more than we need.  The prodigal returns home because he remembers that his father’s servants “have more than enough bread”(Luke 15:17).  Jesus makes so much food from five loaves and two fish that there are twelve baskets left over (Matt 14:20).  Paul describes God as “him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think”(Eph 3:20).  In Jesus, God does more than bless us with what we need.  He gives us abundance.  Our cup runs over.
 
No more living in the shadows, chasing fulfillment.  No more running from my past.  No more worrying about my significance.  No more feeling inadequate, underfunded, unaccomplished, overlooked.  I am full.  I have enough.  My cup runs over.