Almost There

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

 

How many times have you said to someone, “Once I get past Christmas, then life will be much less busy.”  This sentence has many forms here are just a few more that I have heard, “Once I make a little more money life will be better,” “Once I move out, I will have freedom,” “Once I get elected to a get that job, then my family will see how valuable I am.”  Each statement is similar: life right now is not all that it could be, so I will look forward to an event or moment that will be the turning point, and then life will really get going.  If you have even spoken those statements, you realize that they often don’t live up to expectations.  If you were busy before Christmas, it is unlikely that turning the calendar to January is suddenly going to open your schedule up, if you are struggling with money management, no amount of income will change that, and so on.

 

You notice as Jesus speaks these words from John 10:10, he does not place a time frame on it.  It doesn’t say, “Once you get a promotion, then you may have life and life abundantly, once you get past Christmas, once you make more money, etc”  Jesus promise for life abundant is for the present.  Do you believe it?  Jesus promises us life abundant now, in your present circumstances, if you will seek to follow Him with all of you heart.  His promise is not for material wealth, a perfect family, or everything you have ever wanted.  His promise is for life abundant, a life of joy, a life walking with God.  You might be missing out on the life abundant, because you are convinced this can’t really be what Jesus means yet.  You believe that Jesus can only make good on His promise if the items you are focused will start working as you had planned.  Start tomorrow differently.  Before you say, “Once this happens, life will be better.”  Start your day praying, “God Your will be done in my life.”  Then look for Jesus to fulfill this promise from scripture in the midst of your circumstances and challenges.

 

Pastor Bill

 

Discussion Questions

  1. What is the “once this happens, then life will be better,” statement in your life?
  2. What is this statement focused on for you?  How might you shift your focus back to God?