I recently celebrated a milestone birthday that ushers in a new decade of life. The Bible reminds us that with age comes wisdom (and discounted movie tickets). So, I embraced this new season with gratitude and asked the Lord for a guiding word to carry me forward. The word He gave me was perspective.
A quote I stumbled upon in my gratitude journal, just days before my birthday, affirmed this word. Abraham Hicks said, “The secret to having it all is knowing you already do.” I read those words while sitting on my porch in the morning sun, dog at my side, hummingbirds at the feeder. In that moment, everything felt perfect, and I understood the meaning. But let’s be honest—what about when life throws curveballs and things don’t feel perfect at all?
In John 10:10, Jesus makes a bold promise: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Throughout my 17 years of counseling, I’ve heard many clients wrestle with this verse. They share stories of hardship, loss, and pain, then ask, “Where is my abundant life?” For a long time, I wrestled with that same question. Only now am I beginning to see it differently.
The full verse says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” I once believed people missed out on abundant life because of the enemy’s work in external hardships—financial struggles, illness, death, or broken relationships. While these challenges are undeniably painful, I’ve come to realize Jesus meant something deeper.
Jesus himself modeled an abundant life. He radiated love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness. He faced opposition with strength, continually responding to negativity with grace. Whether one believes in His divinity or not, it’s undeniable that His life left a profound mark on the world. He embodied abundance.
And yet, by earthly standards, His life looked anything but abundant. He owned no home, no possessions, no family of His own. He entrusted His money bag to a thief. His own family doubted Him until after His resurrection. Isaiah says He wasn’t handsome, and He endured grief, betrayal, and He knew He would die a painful death at just 33. If abundance meant beauty, wealth, or status, or a pain-free existence, then Jesus would have been disqualified.
That’s when it struck me: the enemy’s first theft is our perspective. When we believe abundance depends on looks, money, relationships, or achievements, we only feel full on our best days. When those things fade, life feels empty. But Jesus, who lacked all of them, still lived abundantly—because His perspective was rooted in the Father’s love and sustained by the Spirit.
What does that mean for us? The same abundant life Jesus lived is available to us. The key is perspective. True abundance isn’t about what we gain or lose—it’s about knowing, deep down, that in God’s love, we already have it all. And that is something we can never lose!
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