I’m in the best long-term relationship ever. Not with my husband, either, but our marriage is still good.
If you’ve allowed Jesus Christ to lead your life, you’re in the same long-term relationship. Not only does He love you, but He promises never to leave you. You’ve begun living the abundant life, too.
Haven’t you?
(I put one of my favorite songs,“He Knows My Name,” at the end of this post. Click here so listen now. It’s perfect for this point.)
If you’re not involved with Him or you’re struggling, we need to talk. More importantly, maybe you’ve been trapped into something way less satisfying, but you don’t realize it.
Trapped by lies
Too often, we’re all trapped by lies the media bombards us with. They say it’s having money, friends, looks, the best job, the best house, the best retirement plan, etc.
We’re deceived into thinking things give us an abundant life. But they don’t satisfy, not in any long-term sense.
In this blog, I’m delighted to explore what an authentic and really satisfying abundant life looks–at least a sketch of it.
What is abundant life?
Believers get eternal life (John 3:16), and we look forward to eternity in Heaven. But that kind of limited thinking is why people miss out on living the abundant life right now! I know. I used to be one of those people until a friend showed me John 17:3.
Check it out.
Jesus isn’t waiting around for us to die so we can meet Him in Heaven. (It’s not the best thing ever, anyway. We’ll talk more about that in another blog.) He defines everlasting life saying,
Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.”
Knowing God, the Creator of the Universe, personally through His Son in the here and now—every minute, every hour, and every day–now, that’s an abundant life! Imagine speaking to him face-to-face. God desires that close relationship with you and me right now!
Only we can’t have it–unless we humble ourselves, trusting and obeying Him instead of doing things our way. And that’s really hard.
However, the moment we do and ask Him to take control of our lives—no matter what problems we have—He begins working out the details of our abundant life (Phil. 1:6). And He stays forever!
His love letter is the connection
What would you do if you could see God and touch Him the way you can the people you love? If you fell in love with Him, but then, for some reason He had to become invisible, what would happen? (Active imagination: I know. Stay with me though. This is what happened when Jesus was here.)
Before He disappeared, would you ask Him to write to you?
The Bible is God’s heart-felt love letter to us.
In it He explains everything about His Son (and everything else), especially emphasizing He will never leave us or forsake us (Deut. 31:6, Heb. 13:5-6). Although we can’t see Him, He sees us, and He keeps all of His promises no matter what (Matt. 5:18).
When was the last time you read His letter beside in this post?
God wants to free us
Reread the three verses I just mentioned, and ask God to help you understand them. He wants to free you and me from the lies and traps. Go ahead, read these verses from His love letter to you again.
According to Luke 19:10, Jesus is in the business of rescuing people so we can actually enjoy the abundant life He promises (Jer. 29:11, Eph. 2:10).
John 10:10
John 3:16
John 17:3
What questions do you have? Leave a comment. I’d love to hear from you, and click the youtube video below. It’s such a great song.
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You are most welcome, and thank you for your encouragement.