“I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
This was the Bible passage that changed my life when I was a young adult and truly began pursuing Jesus. Of all the things I saw in Jesus it was the opportunity of obtaining life- abundant, joy-filled, adventurous, everlasting, loving, and even sacrificial life. I can so clearly remember other Christians I looked up to who embodied this passage so well. They were overflowing with abundant life; it was contagious. To this day, when I am in doubt or struggling I open up my Bible to this worn out page and sit in reflection.
As a race of human beings we have had ample time and reason to reflect these days. Among many things, I have recently reflected upon a global pandemic here in America, those experiencing a global pandemic in other countries with no running water or food supply, racial and ethnic injustices in my own heart and in the hearts of others, and the fuel of anger, greed, and hard heartedness. It has been so easy for me to point a finger outside of myself and onto someone else, placing the blame elsewhere. It is also easy to view my own efforts to promote life, love, justice, and equality as pointless.
I think it’s time for me to return to this simple passage and reflect once again. I think it’s time for me to ask myself a few simple questions:
1. Am I receiving the life of Jesus in my own heart, mind, and soul daily?
2. Am I giving that life of Jesus away to others I encounter each day?
3. Do people see an abundance of life from Jesus overflowing in me or do they see something else?
“I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10
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