#11 – A is for Abundance – May 9, 2024

               John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

               Have you noticed, in your travels, how the trees, flowers, and grassy fields have suddenly begun to sprout out into fullness?  Last Sunday, as we went to church, George and I both noticed it and looking toward the mountain you can see the color of green beginning to pop out.  The abundance of the rain and the off-and-on warmth of the sun is once again bringing glorious beauty to the earth.  This is what makes Spring my favorite time of the year with the abundance of new life!

               We notice the little baby animals starting to show themselves.  The cries of the baby birds will soon be heard and the birth of a child, at any time of the year, is one of the greatest bundles of abundance God gives us.

               Abundance is the state or condition of having a bountiful quantity of something; plentifulness. It is the gifts, and needs, we receive from our Heavenly Father. Abundant life, in John 10:10 above, includes salvation, spiritual nourishment, healing, and much more.

God supplies our needs in different ways.  In Exodus 34:6 it tells us that God is merciful and gracious and abounds in steadfast love and faithfulness.  Deuteronomy 28:12 says that He gives us rain to our land in its season and blesses all the works of our hands. Psalms 27:11 tells us that the meek will inherit the land and enjoy abundant peace.  Romans 13:15 reminds us of His gift of the Holy Spirit that we may abound in hope.  And James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

I have tried to write down all the things that I have received in abundance, but it’s literally impossible.  Starting from when I was a child until now I have been blessed with more than I ever imagined, or thought possible.  Ephesians 3:20 states, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us…”  Neither God’s love nor His power is limited by human imagination.  Praise be to God!

               He is gracious and merciful to deliver the things we need, just when we think we’re beyond hope of being delivered from our despair.  Just in those few verses above, and there are many more throughout the scriptures, we know that God is merciful and gracious.  He gives us love and He’s faithful in His abundant promises.  He gives us the abundance of rain and sun to see that we have crops that produce food for man and beasts. He blesses us with abundant financial needs when we work with our hands.  He gives us peace and comfort when we are saddened and troubled.  And He gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us, teach us, and to remind us of Who we belong to.  And…it’s the love and care we give to others that reminds us that it’s not all about getting; it’s about giving, and giving abundantly.

Be attentive to the wonders that you experience every day.  Look for the little things you take for granted without even noticing; you hear the voices of children and grandchildren, you see the beauty of life and creation, you smell the aroma of the flowers or a fresh baked apple pie, you taste that fresh baked apple pie, and you touch the ones you love. 

Many are not able to experience some of these things.  If you can, thank God and know that you are, indeed, abundantly blessed!

Nancy Stoppe                     

Stoppe123@comcast.net