Still Looking for the Abundant Life?

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 (NIV)

Many of us quote this passage of Scripture, with great expectation of God granting us houses and cars and money beyond our wildest dreams.  Well, of course, that's what abundant life is really all about, right?

There is another popular passage of Scripture that also comes to mind, though.  It is found in the gospel according to John, chapter 14 and verse 6.  Jesus answers a question asked by one of His disciples saying, "I am the way and the truth and the life."  Wow, did you see that?  He said the way, truth and LIFE!  Could it be that Jesus was speaking of us actually having more of Him in our lives?

As we watch news stories and read of the lives of the rich and famous on the internet and in various magazines and publications, it is clear that money, material possessions and fame do not bring the happiness and fulfillment that many thought it would.  I believe it actually turns out to be rather anticlimactic for many that make it to that place they've always dreamed of.  It is then, in the emptiness of all that they hoped it would be, that they desperately turn to something else to fill a place in their lives that only God can fill.  Sadly, this is often sex, drugs, alcohol or even suicide.

Ironically enough, Jesus prefaces this statement in John 10:10 saying, "The enemy comes only to steal and kill and destroy."  So, the choice is made clear to us.  But, of course, the choice is ours to make.

Something I have come to learn and treasure over the years is the blessing of having a grateful heart.  You see, you can have all the money and material possessions in the world and still be unhappy, unfulfilled and ungrateful.  Where does this leave you?  On a never-ending quest to get more.  This is also known as greed and lust.  Greed and lust are never satisfied.

One of the subtle tactics the enemy uses to ensnare us in this trap is an age old trick he used on Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden.  He cleverly paints a picture and casts the light in such a way, that we forget all that God has blessed us with and causes us to focus on what we don't have.  You may have also heard the saying, "the grass is always greener on the other side."

You see, it all comes down to a matter of perspective.  When you look at the glass that stops halfway, do you see the glass half empty or half full?  The grateful heart sees the glass half full, realizing that half a glass is much better than nothing at all.  When we look at our lives and all that God has blessed us with, are we truly grateful?  Have we taken time to count our blessings?

In the end, our earthly possessions will fade, in eternity's light.  Jesus said, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"  Please, don't get me wrong.  I have nothing against being blessed with earthly or material possessions.  But, again, all things must be kept in proper perspective.

Luke 12:48 says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."  Fame and fortune should only serve as tools for us to lead others to the One who gave His life that we might find true abundant life, in Him.