Wonderfully Abundant

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

Is "it" a wonderful life? Jesus said, "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

Last night was the night!!! My wife and I spent the evening at home in front of the fire watching “It’s a Wonderful Life” and yes, once again, at the end it got me. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I watch that movie at the end there will be a lump in my throat and moisture on my face.

I told her again last night, that the first time I ever saw "It's a Wonderful Life" was about 12 or so years ago in Memphis. Late on Christmas Eve, everyone else in the house had gone to bed and I was sitting in front of the fire watching tv when it came on. I think the reason it affected me so much the first time is because I watched it when I was in the pit of pressure financially with my business. We have gone through some tough times over the years, but that year was one of the worst.

Every year I get something different from watching it. I guess as I change and grow I can relate to that story on a different level, and this year was no different. If you watch it from a theological perspective, you will get to see most of the world’s view of God (a talking vapor of stars up in Heaven) , but that's not my view of my Heavenly Father. I also noticed this year for the first time there is absolutely not one reference to Jesus Christ anywhere in the film. This surprised me a little bit, as I had always thought of it as a “Christian movie”. After seeing it again yesterday, I believe that now I would classify it as a spiritual movie, but not a Christian movie.

I guess the big thing that struck me this year, in "living black and white”, was the realization that living life “abundantly” began for me in the same it began for Jimmy Stewart in the movie. When I realized that life was not about me, but about my impact on those around me through my ministry for Jesus Christ, I finally understood what Jesus meant by; "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly". I don't think Jimmy Stewart made it quite that far in the movie, but maybe next year I will once again see something differently when it comes on.

Jimmy Stewart in the movie was not a bad guy. He woke up and tried to do the “good” and "right" thing, but the driving force in his life was himself, what he wanted to do, and when he wanted to do it. Just like me for most of my life!! As the movie ends though, he finally sees that life isn't about him, but about his impact in the lives of others and his life changed.

What kind of impact do you and I want to have on others? Will your life be one that draws people to the cross of Jesus Christ and a desire for “abundant life”, or will we be one of the thousands of “Christian distractions” that are blocking people's view of the real living Jesus Christ? Will it be said of us today, “If that is Christianity , then I want no part” or will it be said, “Please help me to have the abundant life of Christ that I see in you”?

You and I with our choices and attitudes will make that decision moment by moment of everyday, and just like most things, this is a skill that you have to learn to use and then choose to use every moment of every day.

Study the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and then choose to live each moment in a way that reflects the joy and power available to you, because of your adoption into His family by your faith in Him and His work on the Cross on your behalf.

He, Jesus Christ, is not going to do it for you, but He will do it with you if you so choose.
Are you living the "abundant life"?