One of the things this time of social distancing and non-gathering causes is reflection.    Reflection on what our lives are about, what our priorities are, what truly is important.  The verse in James tells us that we do not know or control what tomorrow will bring and that our lives are very brief.  This could be a cause for despondency and despair, or it could be the catalyst to motivate us to appreciate every day and seek to live life to the fullest.

What does that mean for the believer?  To live life to the fullest!  It sounds good.    Jesus said in John 10:10b, “…I have come so they may have life and have it in abundance.”     To have life abundant doesn’t mean a lot of success, popularity, wealth, possessions or stuff but rather to truly experience living on this earth as God originally created it to be.    A life of meaningful and peaceful fellowship with God our creator.    What is amazing is that in a sin torn world Jesus says He has come to give to abundant life to those who believe.  I see that to mean that if we submit to Jesus in loving obedience as Lord, we will experience the abundant life regardless of the circumstances.

Paul said something very important in Gal. 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Wait, that sounds contrary to abundant life.    But Paul echoed that his life was consistent with Jesus’ call to “…deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23 Here is the truth we can assimilate into our thinking.    For a believer to genuinely follow Jesus they must deny their right to control their life, they must take up their cross because they are crucified with Christ, then   through the Holy Spirit, Jesus lives in us enabling us to follow  Him.  The way that we follow is by faith in Jesus, His Word, His promises, obeying His commands, which are not burdensome.  In this manner of living we experience abundant life, because now our thinking, our attitudes, and our behaviors are shaped and guided by His Spirit to be like Him. 

The amazing thing beyond this is that we are Jesus’ hands, feet, and voice for sharing with other people that Jesus gives life  that is abundant.  When they  trust Jesus to follow Him,   then we  can walk with them in His wisdom to help them  experience the joy of following Jesus.  That is abundant living!  We cannot  afford to miss the abundant life in Jesus, because we take life for granted.