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Abundant Life
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (John 10:10 NRSVue)
How can we begin to think about “Abundant Life” in the wake of two devastating natural disasters - Hurricanes Helene and Milton - that have ravaged the Southeast United States?
In the 2022-23 school year our church Youth Group used John 10:10 as our framing Scripture. In fact we summarized this verse “God wants me to thrive!” But how can we think about thriving as we are literally sifting through the damage of communities upended.
Though likely months away from knowing the full impact, we know that these storms have already resulted in catastrophic loss of life, infrastructure and property.
To some survivors, hopelessness may feel like a more accessible feeling than abundance. Still, Scripture reminds us that in distress God’s word gives us life (Psalms 119:50).
So how can we lean on Christ’s promise of Abundant Life in times like these? Let’s look at God’s Word.
The tenth chapter of John finds Jesus teaching and preaching one of his most famous lessons, “ I am the Good Shepherd.” It’s here that Jesus prophetically states his purpose: to give Abundant Life.
In this passage we see
- Jesus claiming responsibility for the welfare of his followers up to and including his death. (As Christians, WE KNOW HE MEANS IT!)
- Jesus making no distinctions amongst “his sheep” other than to say they all know his voice. (Following Christ’s example is not about making distinctions - or judgements - but seeing in each other what God sees in each of us.)
- Jesus loving with words and actions before the threat of danger arises. (The sheep know the shepherd's voice, but will not follow the thieves. If we are followers of Christ, we must be listening and obedient to the voice of God.)
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Jesus sharing that which is most valuable - his life - freely with those who need it. (If we are to truly follow Christ’s example, we must freely share what is valuable with those who need it.)
Yes, God is the source of Llfe and the Abundant Life that God offers us freely is miraculous in nature, but God has also given us an example and words to guide us in sharing our abundant lives with one another.
At St. John’s Ivyland we believe we are called by God to be “Open Arms and Serving Hands such that Lives are Transformed through Christ.” Answering that call, we become Christ-like stewards of Abundant Life wherever God calls us to go.
When we support the Red Cross; when we we give to the United Methodist Committee on Relief; when we provide food and winter coats to our neighbors in southeastern Pennsylvania; when we visit those who are unable to come to church; and when we pray for others: we are a community of living hope and we carry Abundant Life where we go.
How do folks go on in the aftermath of devastation? They go on because the God that lives in us lives and them. They go on because we allow God to call us by name alongside them, loving, sharing and supporting them. They go on because they know God did not come to steal, kill or destroy but to give them Abundant Låife; and if the storms are so great that they can’t see how much God loves them, we are here to remind them!
Thanks be to God!
Love & Light,
John-Thomas (JT) Crockett
Director of Youth, Young Adult & Family Ministries
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