Does that describe your life?
Beth Moore writes, "No matter who you are, where you've been, or what you've done, God has handpicked you to abound."
Is that your life?
Presently, it isn't mine. I've gotten weighed down with caregiver duties that have gone on for a long time and will continue far into the future. I've grown stagnant creatively. My life feels the exact opposite of abounding. It feels shriveled up, dry as old bones. It's not supposed to be this way for me or for you.
The entire John 10:10 verse says (in the NASB), "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly."
In John 10:9 Jesus says, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture."
I'm guessing any pasture Jesus brings us to will be lush and green and joyful. Psalm 23:2-3a says, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;"
In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus never lies. He's gotta be the key to abundant life. He is abundant life. He created us to have joy in this life, not drudgery.
Are we getting bogged down with life? Are we getting distracted? Jesus says in Luke 8:14, "And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity"
The devil is the thief who steals, kills and destroys. If our abundant life has been stolen he is probably involved in the theft. He can't take our salvation away but the devil can make us ineffective if we fall for his tricks. He's clever. He's been messing with God's people since people existed. He hates God and he knows God loves us so anything God loves he hates. That means us. He hates people. He uses them, abuses them and destroys them when possible.
Don't let him have a foothold in your life. He gets them through unbelief, fear, worry, doubt, uncontrolled anger, despair. He doesn't care what it takes to get our eyes off Jesus. He just wants our eyes off Jesus.
Where to start? Start with the promise of abundant life. Remind Jesus and yourself by saying the words aloud, "Jesus, you promised me abundant life. I want that abundant life."
And then see what He says. He'll lead you to those green pastures. He'll lead you to soul renewal. He's got a way out and through. We have to seek Him though to be led that way.