Measuring Abundance

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ~ John 10:10

Jesus promises not just the gift of life – but abundant life. Yet, we so often become distracted by the cares of this world – pain, health, feelings, stuff, our overwhelm at what (we think) “needs” to be done. Instead of seeing abundant life, we feel empty, drained, discontent.

Perhaps, we are measuring the wrong things…

And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” ~ Luke 12:15

Abundance is not measured in beautiful houses or minimalistic lines or how organized my closets are. It is not measured by social status or stylish clothes or how accomplished  or efficient I can be.

Abundance begins in the demeanor of the heart: the joy that resides in Christ and salvation – hope. And that hope cannot be taken away (Romans 8:31-39). Abundance lies in the peace (resting assured) that my Lord is in control and that He is faithfully leading me heavenward. Abundance lies in realizing that I have never been enough – but Jesus abundantly pours His mercy and power over my clay jar (2 Corinthians 4:7-11).

Abundance lies in counting the spiritual blessings and not only the blessings we can touch and see.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it to the praise of his glory

~ Ephesians 1:3-14

Have you counted your spiritual blessings today? You will find an abundance.

Photo by Chloe Si on Unsplash