For the past few months, I’ve felt called to think bigger. Those who’ve heard me speak know I believe as long as we live on this Earth, we should expect more. No matter how many blessings we have received from God, He has more.
Paul made it clear in Ephesians 3:20 & 21: 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Just when we think God has given us His best, we realize He has more.
Of course, we have to remember Jesus expected us to obey if we want to see all His blessings: . “38 Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38) It’s important to recognize that blessings come through obedience. But today, I want to focus on the blessings instead of the obedience.
The Bible uses some form of the Greek word perissos more than 80 times. Translators use synonyms like greater, more, excessive, and abundant when they share the scripture with us. But the root word has a deep meaning. The Interlinear Bible tells me it means beyond measure, out of the overflow, going beyond the expected limits.
That’s the life Jesus promised to bring. “I came that they might have life and have it perisson.” (John 10:10) I feel blessed to experience Christ’s blessedness, and the older I get the richer his blessings.
But today during my devotional time, as I began to look at the new year, my call to think bigger became intertwined with the abundance of Jesus.
Christ blesses me abundantly, but do I serve Him abundantly?
He has blessed me financially. I’m not rich, but I have more than I need. Do I give to Him and others abundantly. Do I invest it as if I’ve been blessed abundantly, or do I hoard because I fear there won’t be enough?
My Creator has given me the blessing of a flexible schedule with a job I love. My day job doesn’t have to interfere with my writing, leading Bible studies, building relationships, and getting closer to Jesus. But do I use my time abundantly?
My prayer time invited me to review every aspect of my life. Do I pray abundantly? Do I worship abundantly? Do I live abundantly?
Recently, someone asked if I had a word for the year. Honestly, I seldom set much stock in New Year’s resolutions or words. For the past couple of decades, I’ve committed to drawing closer to Christ over the next twelve months. I like to look back over the past year and see where I’ve grown. You might have read my theory about making marks on my spiritual wall. Though I’ll never get past the 5’2” mark on the doorpost, I want to make a new mark on God’s wall every year.
But this year, my word is abundantly. I want to do everything abundantly, to the point it overflows onto everyone around me. I don’t want to think in terms of scarcity. Scarcity leaves no room for trust in an abundant Father. I don’t want to focus on what I can’t do or don’t have. Instead, I intend to concentrate on the superfluous my Savior has given me and use it abundantly to serve Him, love Him, and be more like Him.
_______________________________
Thank you so much for stopping by! I feel blessed by every visitor.
Check out more of my thoughts and musings using the links on the side.
And don’t forget to stop by the store to get devotions in book form.
