Abundant Life…

This morning I was listening to the radio on my way to get McD’s for breakfast and Joni from Joni & Friends was speaking at some kind of event. (I caught it halfway through, so I don’t know all of the details.)

Now, before I go on, let me say that I had NEVER heard of this lady before so I had no idea what her life was like. And, of course, this was on the radio, so I couldn’t see her. As I listened, she started speaking about attitude. And about how Americans lately have a really bad attitude about life…how everything’s going downhill and our country will never be the same, yada yada. Then, she offered a “what if”: What if, instead of being so pessimistic all the time, we had a positive (but still realistic) attitude about life? What if we woke up each morning determined to make the best of each day? What if we shared that POSITIVE attitude with others and it spread? What if, as the Bible tells us, we had a Christ-like attitude as laid out in Philippians 2?

Here’s where she inserts a personal story from her own life. You see, Joni is a quadriplegic. Yep. AND, recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. Yep. She talked about her struggle each morning waking up and facing the day. Facing quadriplegia and breast cancer. Facing the fact that someone would have to give her a bath and put on her clothes and feed her. Facing GIANT struggles that most of us have no idea about.

Talk about perspective! And here she is, appropriately telling us to put on our big girl panties and DO LIFE. But not just survive…LIVE ABUNDANTLY.

I know there are days when I just want to stay in bed. And sometimes I feel like I have good reason to feel that way. You may be struggling with these same feelings or be in a situation where you just want to survive the day and go back to sleep!

DON’T. Jesus said that He came to give us life to the fullest. Abundant life. (John 10:10)

SO, how do we do this? Is it as simple as willing ourselves into a positive attitude? Is is simply a matter of personal choice?

Not exactly. I mean, like I said yesterday, I have good intentions all the time. I really WANT to have a positive attitude and to live life abundantly. But my want-to doesn’t translate into DOING so easily.

I think the key is the Holy Spirit. You see, without Him, you will never experience the abundant life Jesus came to give you. In John 10:9, Jesus says “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved…” So, FIRST, enter the door! Not sure how? Check out this story…

THEN, learn to trust Jesus with each day of your life. He knows what’s best. Ask Him what He wants for you TODAY.

And then, in the power of the Holy Spirit (who resides in every believer), LIVE ABUNDANTLY.

What will it take for you to embrace a Christ-like attitude and live abundantly?