How God’s Abundance Informs Our Faith
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At the start of this year, God gave me the word abundance. That word, “abundance” refers to an extremely plentiful or over sufficient quantity or supply. When I received this word for the year, I struggled to understand what that really meant. An abundant life, how is that possible when I feel stretched thin, not enough, and at the end of my rope?
God made it his mission to help me understand what his abundance means this year, and as I look back, I am in awe of the ways he proved himself to be sovereign, gracious, powerful, and kind. All I can offer back is a weak thank-you, because I know his grace is more than I could ever aspire to deserve.
God shows his love to each of us in a million different and perfectly unique ways. He knows us, therefore he speaks to us in a way that we are best able to hear and receive. His gifts for his children are as unique as we are.
Our Need Leads Us to His Abundant Power
Ephesians 3:20-21 proclaims, “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”
He is able to do far more than we can imagine! But I am convinced that so often, we live in such a mode of self-sufficiency that we don’t reach for his promised power. In our great need, we come to our knees and begin to see him show up with extravagance.
I will tell you that this year, my needs have been great. I struggled with patience for my kids, with health issues, marriage struggles, money worries, and then out of the blue we were asked to foster a child with great medical needs. All of these things were more than I could ever carry on my own.
I have no power to make myself into a better, more patient mom. I have no control over the ways my body responds to the world that it is in. I can’t force my husband to forgive me. I definitely don’t know how to stop inflation, and I surely have no way to heal this helpless baby. All of these too heavy circumstances bring me to the realization that I am in desperate need of a savior. I can’t self-help my way out of these situations; my only option is a prayerful surrender crying out to my God.
As I reach for his power, asking him to do what only he can, I see his faithfulness abound. He gives wisdom, healing, peace, knowledge, strength, forgiveness, patience, and so much grace. In every part of my story this year, I see his abundance leaping from the pages of my life. My need was met with grace. For this I am so grateful.
Abundance Begins with Sacrifice
Luke 6:38 reminds us, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
In God’s kingdom, as we give, we are met with what we need. A huge part of my story this year has been about stretching and giving into our family through foster care and adoption. This call is often not an easy one, but it’s a call that is close to God’s heart. As we have said yes and determined to give what love and space we have for God’s glory, God has met us and provided more than we need.
Abundance begins with sacrifice. God offers us abundant life through the sacrifice of Christ’s blood. In God’s upside-down kingdom, giving leads to a miraculous and holy sort of multiplication. Opening our hands up to our Savior leads to a full life.
God’s Abundant Provision Looks Different Than Worldly Riches
James 1:17 says, “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."
God’s abundance looks really different than what the world is seeking after. If you are waiting for God to show up with bags of money or a lifestyle filled with indulgence and entertainment, you will be waiting a long time. Oftentimes these pleasures actually distract us from God’s kingdom work, making them more of a curse than a blessing.
God’s good gifts come from heaven! They are the intangibles that enable us to enjoy and thrive in this very tangible world. As I approached this year with the word abundance, the first thing that came to my mind was things. Another raise? More vacations? That’s how sinful I am.
What God showed me was a path to more patience. A way to experience the healing power of forgiveness. The joy of attaching to a child that has taken work to call my own. Wisdom to work hard at healthy habits. He asked me to trust him as we prayed for a new life in need of care and hope. He redefined what my life pursuit is, showing me that it is God’s wisdom to invest in the least of these, even when the logic of the world says big families are a poor financial investment. He invited me to have faith on behalf of a child that was in need of so many miracles, and he honored our faith with answered prayers.
None of that feels like relaxation, like an easy life, or luxury. His abundance is a life well lived, invested in Kingdom things for his glory. It’s a steady faith that waits for the Spirit to speak and then moves forward without hesitation when the path forward becomes clear. It’s seeking first his kingdom and then trusting that God will bring what you need right when you need it.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Jurkos
