A Life of 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, ESV).

I love the way God works. Over the past 8-10 years I’ve walked in relationship with Jesus in a way that’s been different than I ever anticipated. But one thing I’m learning most significantly is what it looks like to be patient with His plan. 

There have been many times in my life where the Lord has moved quite swiftly:

I decided on a Saturday in 2016 to look at buying my first home, and I had agreed to a contract by that Wednesday.

I decided I was going to make some upgrades to my website, and weeks later my tax return check was deposited in my account, which covered the entire cost of the upgrade.

I was struggling on a Thursday evening with not feeling like I fit in at an FCA event, and that next evening the Lord sent a brother and sister in Christ that would become forever friends.

The thing about the Lord is, though, is that His rate of change isn’t always what we expect, hope for, or even feel like we need. As I approach my 39th birthday, I’ve been processing a few things about the season of life I’m in right now. There is so much gratitude, but also some questioning. 

Thank you Lord for what you’ve provided in my life–my job, my friendships, and my home.

Lord, why? Why have the desires of my heart for a family of my own not been filled?

Thank you, Jesus, that despite those longings still being present, I am content in Christ.

Lord, is there something wrong with me that those things haven’t happened yet?

Thank you, Jesus, for the opportunity to serve You in my singleness.

Thank you for all the love You have to give, because it is enough to fill my heart. 

And you know what? God is okay with that. I’ve been clinging this year to John 10:10:

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

Jesus promises an abundant life, despite it sometimes not following the path we had planned. And I can speak from my own experience, that an abundant life with Jesus that doesn’t look how we imagined is so much better than any life without Him.