"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10b)
"On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." (John 7:37-38)
These are amazing promises from our Lord! But how many of us can honestly say we are experiencing this kind of fullness in our Christian lives? I often feel like something is lacking. Instead of "rivers of living water" flowing from my heart, I have a trickle (or on some days a stagnant pond). Instead of having "life abundantly", I'm just trying to survive the day. Many Christians believe in God, go to church, try to have devotions and serve in ministry, but something is missing. There's a lack of purpose, wisdom, joy, boldness and true, agape love in our lives. It becomes all too easy to please people, rather than the Lord (Hebrews 6:10). Instead of burning with passion for God, we burn out. What's wrong with this picture? This cannot be what God intends for His children. Sometimes I think it breaks His heart more than it does ours.
For years, I had a sense that there was more; that God was calling me to a new way of living in Him, but I didn't know how to get there. One day I came across some teaching by Pastor Jon Courson (Applegate Christian Fellowship) through the book of Joshua. The premise is that the Old Testament journey of the Israelites from captivity in Egypt to possession of the Promised Land is a type, or example, of New Testament Christian life. It is an illustration that gives us understanding of how to enter into the Spirit-filled life. Pastor Jon points out that the Promised Land is not a picture of heaven, as many suppose. There are still battles to be fought and wars to be won in the Land. But it holds the promise of abundant life, filled with the giant fruit of the Spirit. That's where I need to go. But first I have to cross the Jordan.
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3 comments:
That was great Jen! I look forward to reading more!
Katie
I just listened to a podcast that talks about beauty. She said that to experience true beauty, to be truly be in communion to self we have to recognize our ugly self and die to Christ. The term "die to Christ" is often used in christian circles but it's unclear what this means. I'm still not clear but I think what is missing is our focus our constant focus on Christ. We are so focused on self and our own comfort.
I don't have a solution and I don't have what you are looking for. I have desire - so let's cross the Jordan.
Thanks!
Thanks for the comments! That encourages me. :)
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