Lately, before the dawn breaks and her eyes flutter open, Sandra feels a familiar weight settle in the pit of her stomach. It’s just her now. Her husband chose a different path the moment their daughter tossed her cap into the air and stepped into a world of her own. At 42, Sandra found herself in a small apartment, and now, at 45, she’s stuck in a loop of disappointment, loneliness, and an exhaustion that seems to seep into her bones. Each morning plays out like a tired rerun: hit the snooze button, drag herself to work, return to an empty space that feels more like a void. Yeah, her job keeps the lights on, but inside, her soul is coasting on autopilot. In those quiet moments, she catches herself wondering, “Is this really what my life has come to? How did I end up here?” Those questions hang in the air, nudging her to look for something deeper.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way. When Sandra was younger, she had dreams—big ones. She thought marriage would bring her happiness, that by her 40s she’d be living a life bursting with joy and purpose. But after the divorce, the weight of broken promises and unmet expectations settled in, and now she’s just existing. Church? She goes, but it feels like a routine. Her faith? It’s faded, like the old pictures tucked away in a drawer, gathering dust. She’s heard whispers of the “abundant life” Jesus offers, but it feels distant, more like a rumor than something she can grasp.
Then one Friday night, scrolling through social media, Sandra hit rock bottom. Post after post showed friends living what looked like vibrant, full lives—marriages thriving, kids laughing, new adventures every weekend. In the silence of her dim living room, Sandra whispered a prayer she wasn’t even sure she meant: “Lord, is this really all there is for me?” At first, there was nothing. Just silence. Then, almost like a breeze, a whisper nudged her spirit: “There’s more.”
The next morning, Sandra did something she hadn’t done in a long time—she opened her Bible, flipping through its pages like a woman searching for something she didn’t know how to name. She landed on Ephesians 3:20 (NLT): “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” The words seemed to jump off the page, hitting her like a wake-up call. That verse wasn’t just for “super-spiritual” people, or for those whose lives were already picture-perfect. It was for her. In that moment, she realized that the abundant life Jesus promised wasn’t just about having more things or even more happiness—it was about having more of him.
Jesus didn’t die for Sandra or any of us to live small or to feel trapped in a cycle of hopelessness. He teaches in John 10:10 (NKJV), “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” These words from our Master are meant for all of us. He gave His life on the cross so we can truly embrace the life God desires for us. Like Sandra, many of us need to wake up and realize that survival isn’t all God has in mind. There’s so much more waiting for us.
We need to carve out plenty of space in our hearts and minds for what God wants to do in our lives. Our Heavenly Father can truly blow our minds with all that He has in store, but it’s up to us to open ourselves up to it. That might feel a bit harsh, but remember, God is a God of order. He doesn’t go against His Word or the principles He’s laid down. In Hebrews 11:6 (NLT), we’re reminded, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” This truth makes it clear to us that we must pray in alignment with God’s Will. To do that, we need to grasp what He requires of us and trust that He will bless us according to the promises in His Word. There’s so much more waiting for us if we just have faith.
Jesus Christ taught his disciples in Mark 11:22 (NKJV), “Have faith in God.” His commandment here emphasizes the importance of trusting in God’s power and faithfulness. Doing more than sitting in our disappointment means putting action behind our faith in God. James 2:26 tells us that faith without the good works to back it up is dead. In other words, without the fuel of our energy and commitment to the mission Jesus has given us, our faith won’t bear fruit. We need to step out and put our belief into practice, allowing our actions to reflect the hope we carry.
Galatians 5:6 (NLT) tells us, “What is important is faith expressing itself in love.” Our Heavenly Father sees our pain and hurt, and He longs to heal and deliver us, but faith is the conduit. We must express our faith in Him by showing that we love and honor Him. And the key to accomplishing this is doing as He says in 1 John 3:18 (NLT): “Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” We have to find ways to back our faith with deeds that reflect Christ’s love—actions that mirror his heart and grace in our everyday lives.
We need the exceedingly abundant in our lives, and it brings God joy to give it, but we can’t fully receive what we don’t understand. To truly grasp this abundance, we have to do our best to reflect it in the way we live. So, how are we pouring into the lives of others with an effort that embodies this abundance? It’s about being intentional, showing up for others, and letting our actions overflow with love and generosity. Let’s ask ourselves how we can bring that “exceedingly abundantly” spirit into our daily interactions.
The Spirit nudged Sandra, letting her know that our God is not limited, and there is always more available to us than we can imagine. As we open our hearts to this truth, we will realize that the abundant life Jesus promised isn’t a distant dream; it’s a reality waiting for us to embrace. This isn’t pie in the sky; it’s the promise of our God. We’ll witness it as we step out of our comfort zones, share the Gospel, and cultivate a spirit of generosity. By trusting in God’s infinite possibilities and sharing His love with those around us, we find the courage to transform our lives. The journey toward the exceedingly abundant promise of God isn’t just about receiving; it’s about actively participating in His grace, making room for blessings to flow through us and into the lives of others. In that space of faith and action, we discover the richness of God’s love and the joy of living fully in His promises.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Living in the Exceedingly Abundant Promise of God”, written for Springfield Fellowship © 2024. All rights reserved. All praise and honor to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.