Abundant Life
In my sermon, The Lord Is My Shepherd, on April 30, 2023, I discussed Jesus’ statement, I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly (John 10:10). I then posed the question, “What is abundant life?” As an answer, I suggested that Psalm 23 is an excellent descriptor of abundant life. When we live in relationship with God, then God provides for us and watches over us. I then requested that the congregation write down examples of abundant life that they had received or witnessed. Below are the examples that have been shared with me.
Blessings,
Sherard
Abundant Life is…
- Compassionate Hands. Feeding the homeless.
- Shared affection between and among humans and animals.
- Help put out the salt and pepper shakers on the table on Wednesday nights.
- Close relationship between me, my spouse, and our adult children and grandchildren. What a blessing! Abundant Life Indeed.
- Teaching at-risk teenagers.
- When I requested on Facebook prayers for my son, gravely and suddenly ill, I was stunned by the many responses. He recovered quickly.
- A nice, freedom to worship and plenty of everything.
- Sharing of food.
- Thoughtful expressions of care and concern during difficult times.
- Help put out the music for the choir.
- All those, both new friends and complete strangers who surrounded us during the tornado on March 3, 2020, and prayed for us. There are so many more.
- Habitat builds.
- The health of my grandchildren.
- The work of Living Waters for the World and Solar Under the Sun in Latin America.
- Abundant Life: Faith, Family, and Friends! To share my life is so rewarding, hopefully means much to others as me.
- Community cook out.
- Abundant Life: On Saturday, April 22, an 11 year old girl received a heart transplant at Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She will be released to go home tomorrow, May 1! Praise be to God!
- Abundant Life: Opportunity to spend time with family during this time of sickness. The thief is robbing me of health but not of relationships.
- Abundant Life: Friends who take us as we are and celebrate what we have had and mourn with us.
- Lasagna Love is a group that formed during the pandemic. We provided lasagna to people who ask to be supplied a home-cooked meal. There is no criteria to be met. It is a simple way to share God’s bounty.