The Abundant Life

“Oh!  May the God of green hope fill you up with joy, fill you up with peace, so that your believing lives, filled with the life-giving energy of the Holy Spirit, will brim over with hope!” Romans 15:13 MSG

I was reminded of this version of one of my favorite verses recently as I was noticing the subtle hints of green beginning to appear in our pastures.  Springtime is upon us!

Our horses, enjoying the abundance of spring grass a couple of years ago.

When you think of the color green and the season of spring, what comes to mind for you?  For me it is a reminder of the promise of new life after the dormancy of winter (physical or spiritual).  The season of winter can feel dark, cold, barren, even hopeless, but winter seasons have a purpose.  They provide a time of rest, and a renewing of energy for the preparation of the new growth of spring.  

As I spend time in nature, I sense it - I hear it in the song of the birds, see it in the hints of green and forming buds, in the smells of blossoms when they bloom and I feel the warmth of the sun and breeze on my skin. In a word, what I sense as this season enters is ABUNDANCE.  We can take in with our physical senses what our spiritual senses already knew.  Our God is a God of abundance.  

It is appropriate that we celebrate Easter in this season of spring, as this promise of new life in Christ is the source of our hope, the very foundation of our faith.  In John 10:10, Jesus told his disciples that he had come so that his followers would have abundant (rich, satisfying, full, overflowing) life!  Immediately following that verse he goes on to tell them that he is the good shepherd.  In Psalm 23, it says “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” (NIV)  This is the claim of an abundant life available to one who follows the Good Shepherd.  

Psalm 23 is such a rich piece of scripture that frequently gets quoted at funerals, but it is a scripture for the living to embrace.  Will you?

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

(Psalm 23, NIV)