God Wants Us to Live…Abundantly

It’s so easy to get caught up in the negative things of this life.  Newspapers, magazines, and television news all give us headlines of the latest horrific event or terror we face today.  My new computer operating system even pops up a window now, in case I hadn't heard the latest scandal, the latest tragedy, or the latest example of someone being mistreated today on my watch.  Sometimes it is hard to miss the horrific events that are happening all around.

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled: "A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matthew 2:16-18 NIV)

In the midst of these moments, I like to remind myself that none of this is God’s design or desire for our lives.  Every murder, every rape, domestic violent act, every theft, every starving child, is a reminder that God’s picture is being smudged, twisted, and covered with slop.  We have a very real enemy who seeks to devour us like a roaring lion.  He is the only one who is happy when we hurt.

After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt and said, "Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child's life are dead." So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. (Matthew 2:19-21 NIV)

Just because the picture is a mess, though, God does not give up on us, our world, and our lives.  Instead, he sent someone to help us start to clean things up.  His Son, Jesus, came to show us how.  He paved the way for us to come home to the Father.  Then he left and sent His Spirit to help each of us to walk together with God.

But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene. (Matthew 2:22-23 NIV)

Yes, it is true that we have a real enemy.  But it is also true that that enemy is no match for God.  God’s picture will prevail.  God’s plan will succeed.  God’s design will stand.  God’s people will enjoy God’s beautiful design for their lives.  They will start enjoying the “firstfruits” of this picture here, in this life.  Then, they will enjoy the full picture in the next.  God wants us to live…abundantly.

How about you?  Do you see God’s picture, God’s design, and God’s plan for your life?  Do you enjoy the “firstfruits” of that picture right now?  Do you look forward to the rest of the picture later?  Are you living life abundantly?