Abundant life in Christ now, as we suffer

As a young believer, I thought an abundant life included God’s favor in healing my sick body. Sharing a dramatic “praise report” with others was a joy, seeking to glorify Him and encourage them.

I remember introducing myself to our church women’s small group after we moved to another state, sharing the story of God’s amazing healing through my brain surgery 24 years ago this past week. The leader responded with, “God gave His grace to you.”

At the time, I didn’t understand her words. I sure do now.

For the story was not only about His healing as favor, but God’s favor in initially saving me through faith in Christ and then sustaining me over the eight years of non-diagnosis, progressive disability, and profoundly traumatic wreckage. It was His grace and favor given amid the waiting and suffering.

I’m again living with His gracious answer of “no” or “not right now,” with lingering suffering.

Are you? 

So, do we really have to wait for a “yes” answer to share a “praise report?”

Isn’t it possible to have an abundant life in Christ, with His gracious and exceedingly abundant favor, if our suffering doesn’t end on earth? I now know without a doubt that the answer is YES!

These days, I’m pondering that God’s grace was given to us as an abundant life in Christ…for we suffer as those with all hope in Christ Himself!

And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died he for me, who caused his pain?
For me, who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

(“And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?” Wesley, C., 1738)

And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made you alive with [Christ] and forgave us all our trespasses (Col. 2:13 CSB).

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will (Jn. 5:21 ESV). 

Sister in Christ, let’s offer Him a “praise interruption” as we seek God together.

Jesus is holding us up as we walk with Him

Lord, we ask for Your grace to see Your gift of an abundant life now, as we suffer. Please deepen us into an intimate, set apart, joy-filled adventure as we walk yoked to Jesus, enveloped in the depths of Your love and fellowship. Please help us to realize we’re loved by the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, led through the valleys, while always seeing the glorious mountain ahead.

 ‘Tis myst’ry all! Th’Immortal dies:
who can explore his strange design?
In vain the first-born seraph tries 
to sound the depths of love divine.
‘Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
let angel minds inquire no more.

The LORD preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy (Ps. 145:20 ESV).

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:4-6 CSB).

Abundant life in His changing us

He left his Father’s throne above 
(so free, so infinite his grace!), 
humbled himself (so great his love!) 
and bled for all his chosen race. 
‘Tis mercy all, immense and free; 
for, O my God, it found out me.

Your abundant life is in humbly discovering that You are changing our desires from within. You’re transforming us to want nothing more than to love You so entirely that we want to walk in Your way, glorify only You, and love others as You direct, by Your grace, strength, and power.

Abundant life in the new identity He’s given us

Long my imprisoned spirit lay 
fast bound in sin and nature’s night; 
thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light; 
my chains fell off, my heart was free; 
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

What an abundant life! We are Yours!

We once were…

Alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds (Col. 1:21 ESV).

But now, Jesus has reconciled us to our Father in His body of flesh by His death in order to present us…

Holy and blameless and above reproach before him (Col. 1:22 ESV). 

Abundant life in Christ, my own

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine!
Alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach the eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ, my own.

We can’t wait to see You, Lord, and to live forever with You in the new heaven and earth as You consummate Your kingdom. Thank You for Your tender mercy, new every morning, as You lovingly and faithfully bring what You alone know is best for us, whatever You know we need most to have life and have it abundantly (Jn. 10:10). For You delight to be growing us into the likeness of Jesus, in a mutual love relationship that blossoms and grows into mature fruit.

It’s all by Your lavish, rich, abundant gift of grace. So, here is our “praise report” for today, as we trust You for what You will bring to our lives as Your beloved…

O LORD, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O LORD, do I fear (Habb. 3:2 ESV). 

In Jesus’ name of amazing love and abundant life, amen.

🙏🏼✝️❤️🎶

Sister in Christ, as we both suffer, I’m praying that “singing Christ’s hope” will be His gift to you as it has been to me. As He always has, God is graciously bringing songs to me that are helping me endure serious illness once again. This week’s playlist gift helps us both come to Jesus in wonder. It’s a massive “praise report” to sing of the abundant life He’s gifted to us as we suffer. If this hope-filled playlist would feed your soul too, sign up below, and it will come to your email with my love and prayer.