By Marlene Evans
Founder of the Christian Womanhood Magazine
In June, 1999, Brother Hyles gave a sermon on the abundant life from John 10:10 which says, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
He explained God’s wanting us to enjoy anything physical or mental that falls within the boundaries of the Word of God. Then, he talked about spiritual and eternal enjoyments God has made possible for us. If I understood correctly, Preacher was saying that the type of person who prays all of the time and has little to do with people is not enjoying God’s wonderful buffet of blessings.
The person who lives in books to the exclusion of nature is failing to live the abundant life God has given. The people who think of nothing but the physical part of life are living a deprived existence though they might think that eating, drinking, and being merry is the abundant life.
I know those who have been into sports only until there was no life after Michael Jordan. I know people who are into work only until they don’t know what to do with a holiday or a vacation. Some even think work is the abundant life. I know those who have been into television only until there was no life when the tube burned out.
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Dr. Hyles challenged us to look at our lives and shore up the physical, mental, spiritual, or eternal if there was a lack in these areas. I made a list of some of the things I like that I feel fall into the four categories of physical, mental, spiritual, or eternal. I have enjoyed some more and some less, depending on what I was going through in different phases of my life.
They are in alphabetical order:
Bible
Bicycling
Church
Music
Nature
People
Prayer
Reading
Tasteful, Nutritious Food
Soul Winning
Work
Writing
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After looking at this list, I made a decision to shore up some of these to enjoy more of God’s banquet table. Perhaps you would profit by making your own list and shoring up some of your enjoyments that have gone by the wayside.
It will help you have the rich, fulfilled life God intended for you.
