” The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10

What things seem to steal, kill, or destroy your life? Maybe it’s the busyness around you, an illness, financial issues, bitterness, anger, a rough marriage, or negativity. These things take part of your life away don’t they? They bring heartache and difficulty. Wouldn’t you rather have a rich and satisfying life? What types of things would give you that? What brings you satisfaction and joy in your life? I would love to be in your head right now as you think of things that satisfy your life!! What overflows you with  joy deep down in your heart?

Lots of things satisfy us….at least for a while! I think of children when they open up their Christmas gifts and the joy radiating from them as they play with their new toys. But as we all know, that joy doesn’t last long ,as maybe a month goes by, and they are telling you they are bored! We get so annoyed at that don’t we!! But, I think as adults we need to turn that situation back on ourselves and dig deeper into our own hearts as we think about the things that bring us joy and satisfaction. What was on your list? Are the things that you were thinking of something that loses it’s joy as time goes by? Maybe a big house, an expensive car, or a vacation to the beach satisfies you! These satisfactions don’t last because eventually we want something else….kind of sounds like a child doesn’t it!?

As I have been taking time to reflect on WHO my God is, John 10:10 has been coming to me over and over. He gives abundantly. He came to give us a satisfying life. It is eternal, yet it begins immediately which means it isn’t just in Heaven, but that He gives us life here and now that is to be rich and full. It may be hard to see when you are going through difficult times. Many may be asking…is this the abundant life Jesus promised? Marriage difficulties, financial struggles, death, sadness, grief, hard times…this isn’t abundant life! What is Jesus talking about?

It has taken me a few years to grasp this concept. I remember asking a friend a few years ago where this abundant life was. I have just begun to realize that Jesus didn’t mean joy in all our circumstances. He didn’t mean that we wouldn’t struggle. Our abundant life is IN HIM not in this world. I am not saying that we don’t have joy in this world, but I am saying that our joy is made full in HIM. He is the one that gives abundantly. When you begin to grasp WHO your God is, you begin to see differently. You begin to look with different eyes…gazed upon Him and not on your circumstances and where life has placed you. Jesus comes alive IN YOU and consequently you have this abundant life that no longer is based on your possessions or surroundings, but instead on your heavenly father and all that HE GIVES…his comfort, his trust, his love, his forgiveness, his grace, his compassion, his gentleness, his kindness, his protection. All these things are constant and overflowing from our Heavenly Father. What can be more rich and more satisfying than that?

Take a few moments and read Psalm 63:1-5 , Proverbs 3:1-2 , Psalm 9:2 and reflect on the joy that the Lord brings to us. Take time to KNOW him and to reflect on the satisfaction that only he can give! Keep your focus on Him and enjoy the abundant life He offers to each of us as we take time to know our God!