Are You Living an Abundant Life?
"I have come that they might have life and life abundantly."
John 10:10
The fall season has always been my favorite time of the year. The morning air is crisp and fresh; the beautiful autumn colors are beginning to appear. It's usually the time we look forward to school, football games, and cooler nights. The stay-at-home order has prohibited many of our activities. There are many unknowns right now, so this fall might be a good time to reexamine life and ask ourselves, "Am I living my best life?"
This weekend we celebrate Labor Day. An opportunity to recharge our batteries and spend some quality time with family: a three-day weekend and a chance to reconnect with loved ones – even if it is on Zoom. The original intent of Labor Day was to provide a holiday that would honor American workers' social and economic achievements. A tribute to the many contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. Unfortunately, many men and women are working in unfulfilling jobs just for the paycheck. I don't believe that would be the definition of abundant life.
We recently traveled through Spokane, and my thoughts went to the many trips I made from my hometown of Warden to Spokane for college. I was eighteen and more than ready to leave everything I knew. As a career-minded girl, I was excited to make my mark on the world, but staying in Warden's small community would not get me there. As a college student, my only goal was to get my degree and land a great job with benefits, including health insurance, retirement, four weeks of vacation, and paid holidays like Labor Day.
After graduating, I was offered a paralegal position with a local attorney. When asked if I would be willing to relocate, my immediate answer was, "Yes!" Who wouldn't want to move to the big Tricities metropolis in the early '70s? I loved that job, but that is all it was – a job. At the time, it checked off everything that I thought would make me a success in life.
Once we had kids, I gave up my career as a paralegal. Working in our insurance office allowed me the flexibility needed as a busy wife and mother, but I was an empty nester before I knew it. I wouldn't change those years for anything, but there had to be more. Thankfully, the Lord had much bigger plans for me.
January will mark my 11th year on staff at Hillspring. Secular words like job, career, and coworkers are now foreign to me. Words like calling, passion, and spending time with friends who are more like family are better descriptions. The gift of leadership at Hillspring extends out to the entire congregation. We are sharing life as a family.
In October, I will turn 65, so my mailbox is full of every type of Medicare supplement known to man or woman. Retirement is not even close to being on my radar, so my mind can't compute the thought. Many people have asked, "When are you retiring?" My answer is usually something like, "Why would I retire from one of the biggest blessings in my life?" I now understand God was preparing me for this chapter of life all along. Thankfully, the years working as a paralegal and licensed insurance agent equipped me for the Executive Pastor position. Still, I wasn't prepared for how blessed I would feel by serving Him every day.
What did Jesus mean by abundant life? He certainly didn't measure it by prosperity, occupation, or performance. Real abundant life consists of an abundance of love, joy, peace, and the Spirit's fruit. Jesus wants us to live an abundant life in all things here on earth now, and not have that gift delayed with thoughts like "Life will be perfect when…" Life will never be perfect here on earth, but our lives should be meaningful and purposeful. Of course, the first thing we must do to live an abundant life is to seek Him.
My prayer for everyone is that we do indeed seek Him first in all things to live life as it is intended.
Blessings,
Peggy Zumhofe
Executive Pastor
