Jesus said, “I have come that you might have life, and that
you might have it to the full.” (John 10:10.)
This is not a right or entitlement
for the faint of heart. Rather “abundant
life” is an opportunity, an equal opportunity, offered by a gracious King to
each of His children.
But let’s be honest. “Life
to the full” seems far more like a pipe dream than an attainable goal. Bills we can’t pay, jobs we don’t like,
ministries that run us ragged, family members that break our hearts, burdens
that weigh us down, sins that so easily beset us. Abundant living. What’s that?
Most people are just trying to survive. They have resigned themselves to
the notion that this is just life-and so they simply decide to “hold their own
till Jesus comes.”
I mean, the notion sounds good and all, but it just isn’t
reality. And yet, it can be. In fact, it should be. For that is why
Jesus came. An abundant life is not
merely for a select few, but for each and every person who calls Jesus his Lord
and Savior. Really!
Now I am not talking about money or status or an easy
life. No, I am talking about the kind of
life that is full of joy and peace that passes all understanding, a life of shared
intimacy with Christ and others, a life of purpose, a life that draws others to
Christ, a life of adventure and passion, a life of victorious freedom. This is the kind of life King Jesus wants for
us.
Now that sounds awesome doesn’t it? Almost too good to be true! But, it is available. Let that sink in for just a moment. This kind of life is available. In fact,
Jesus meant for this to be the normal
Christian life. Yet, how many people do
you know who really enjoy the life I just described? Make it personal; do you enjoy that kind of life?
I think we all want it, but it seems so elusive. Where do we even start? Well, I believe that one of God’s callings on
my life is to help others experience “life to the full.” I have been on my own personal journey to achieve
it. In fact, that is really what this
blog has mostly been about to this point.
Now I want to shift the focus away from what we have
experienced personally. Instead, now I want to focus on
what Christ has taught me about the abundant life. It is these truths that gave my family the
courage to start our journey of faith in the first place. I will still share our stories if they deem
relevant to the topics we discuss. But
my real desire is to help you on your journey to an abundant life in Christ.
Now let me say this.
It is not always sunshine and roses.
I am still on the journey, and will be till the day I die. I have experienced victories and failures, contentment and frustration, joy and pain. But the
truth of God’s Word has never changed in the midst of my circumstances.
To make this practical, allow me to share with you what I
have found to be the keys to an abundant life in my personal journey:
1. Recognizing
and playing my role in God’s story.
2. Understanding
my true identity in Christ.
3. Walking
with God.
4. Understanding
and Winning the Spiritual Battle.
5. Finding freedom from sinful bondage.
6. Receiving healing from wounds
received from others.
Most everything I write about in this blog will either
directly or indirectly be linked to one of these six topics. There may be times where something else is
discussed, but those times will be few.
I look forward to sharing with you the things
that God has taught me.
I want to encourage you to do a couple things for me. First of all, if you have not read my
previous posts, I encourage you to do so.
It shares most of our story.
Secondly, please feel free to make comments about the things God is
teaching you your journey.
It will not only encourage me, but other readers as well. May God bless you as you continue on your
personal journey to an abundant life in Christ.
-Andy
S. Clark
