The Abundant Life

Photo courtesy of tndickersondiaries.blogspot.com

"To know the voice of God, and to obey him, is life."
--Henry Blackaby 

The life found in Christ is a blessed, rich, fulfilling and wondrous life (albeit a challenging one at times!).  You see, Christ announced that unlike the Deceiver, He "came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10).  Ahhh...the abundant life.  This is a place where we as Christians like to park and explore--who doesn't want the "abundant life?"  But what exactly does it mean?  Interpretations most often include spiritual (and sadly, often worldly) "success," victory over sin, being blessed physically and spiritually, etc.  However, we ought always consider the surrounding context of any verse to best explain the meaning and intent of it.  Let's widen our focus on this verse to include more of John chapter 10, which presents Jesus as the "door" and the "good shepherd."

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.” John 10:1-18

According to this passage, the "abundant life" involves the security of knowing that we are God's sheep, a precious and chosen people who take pasture in His provision and protection against the evil one.  However, this is not just by a formal contract.  It is in the context of a very loving, committed, nurturing relationship.  One of the most dominant themes in this passage is that the shepherd speaks, and his sheep recognize his voice.  I remember a time recently when I was praying specifically about a particular opportunity, and yet I was feeling frustrated and discouraged that instead of giving me the "green light," God was telling me a very firm and undeniable NO.  I vented my frustration with my husband one evening, and he encouraged me to be content and thankful that I was hearing from the Lord, regardless of whether or not I was happy with His answer!  I thought more about that and understood that yes, hearing from God is certainly a wondrous privilege and I think one major key to understanding the "abundant life!"

We see the desire of God to speak with His children in the Old Testament Scriptures as well, in Jeremiah 33:3, which states: "Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known."  In fact, the Bible is peppered with passages which encourage us to cry out to God, praise Him, intercede, and petition Him with even our smallest request.   And every time He hears...He acts.

Wow!  What a mystery!  What a privilege!  Instead of striving for the elusiveness of "success" and "victory" in the abundant life, ought we not be encouraged in the relationship and rich communication we enjoy with Christ?  For this is what Jesus describes as He paints a picture of a shepherd and his sheep in John chapter 10.  This relationship between two very unequal beings--a sheep and a shepherd--and yet rich with love and communication.  I would submit to you that hearing from the Lord and being known and shepherded by Him...THIS is truly the abundant life, dear friend!