Daily Devotional for March 15

 

March 15                                                           John 10:1-18

                    Abundant Living

Someone has said that Christians have just enough religion to
make them miserable! And far too often, that may be so. It
is said that Gandhi explored the Christian religion and admired
Jesus, but was disillusioned by the fact that Christ's followers
did not really follow Christ! In that respect, we may be miss-
ing what Christ has promised: the abundant life.

It is a tenet of the Jewish religion that it is a sin to be offered
the opportunity to enjoy life and not to do so. How different
from the Puritans, who felt that if something was pleasurable,
it had to be a sin. Jesus was Jewish, so it is not inconsistent
with his upbringing to say, "I came that they may have life,
and have it abundantly."

Does abundant life mean doing just as I please, indulging every
whim? No, for that is merely self-indulgence. Abundant living
is living life to the fullest. St. Augustine put it this way: "Love
God, and do what you please." He could say this because, if
we love God, what we will want to do will be God's will for
us. We will live increasingly for others and for the world.
Abundant living means seeking first God's domain and God's
"right-use-ness"; then all the other things we need in life -
food, clothing, shelter - will be given as well. (Matthew 6:33)

              Jesus, so align my will and life with your
         will and life that I become one with you, as you
    are one with God. Let me know the abundant life that
              comes from knowing and doing your will
                           on a daily basis. Amen.

                         *Happy Birthday to me. *

​

 

From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.198