The Abundant Life: Riches money can’t buy…
Those living the abundant life face a New Year with a focus on what is most important.
As one year closes and another begins, an abundant life will reflect on what’s passed and look forward to what is ahead. A year gone by is usually filled with good and bad. We can learn from the bad and move on. But let’s not forget to think about the good things that happened. In fact, the Bible encourages us to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable… If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
The abundant life does not know what challenges the New Year will hold, but they know they can make it through if they stay focused on God.
Proverbs 4:25-27 (NIV) tells us, “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” To go one step further, we need to be looking to God. Only He has the power to save us. (Isaiah 45:22) We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) We lose power, hope, and purpose when we don’t focus on the right things.
We will all face turmoil and trials in life. However, we can’t afford to let problems block our focus. Think of this biblical example from 2 Chronicles 20…
Jehoshaphat’s kingdom of Judah was being threatened by the armies of many nations like Ammon and Moab who joined together to annihilate Judah. These huge armies were strong and surrounded Judah. There seemed to be no chance of survival. So people from every town came together to seek help from the Lord. The men, their wives, and children stood in the courtyard of the temple and Jehoshaphat prayed a heartfelt prayer extolling God’s greatness and acknowledging Judah’s lack of power to withstand the inevitable attack. It ended with, “For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12)
They kept their eyes and focus on God, and He indeed miraculously delivered them. (2 Chronicles 20:12-24)
When life gets overwhelming or hard decisions need to be made or the enemy is attacking, those living the abundant life resolve to stay focused. With Jesus in their lives, they are never alone or forsaken. (Hebrews 13:5-6) They don’t know what the New Year will hold, but they do know they can face anything if they stay focused on God!
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“…I have come that they may have life and that they
may have it more abundantly.” ~John 10:10 (KJV)
