Hello my friends,
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood Monk-in-Docs.
Thank you for joining me for another day of Lent as we continue to reflect on the I AM statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John.
As always as we begin today,
Take a deep breath in and out.
And allow yourself to settle fully into this moment.
Let any distractions that you have fade into the background.
And now hear these words from Jesus.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
I wonder friend,
Have you ever contemplated what it means to live an abundant life?
Now our world often defines abundance as material wealth,
Some sort of success,
Maybe being comfortable,
But Jesus speaks of something much,
Much,
Much deeper.
Jesus speaks of a life overflowing with peace,
With love,
With purpose and connection to God.
This is the life Jesus offers,
It's a life of spiritual fullness and this spiritual fullness is not measured by what we have,
But how deeply we allow ourselves to live in God's presence.
It's important to understand that as difficult as it might be for us to hear,
Abundance doesn't mean the absence of struggle and it doesn't mean that everything will always be easy.
Rather it means that even in the valleys,
Even in uncertainty,
We are held.
This should remind us of Psalm 23 where the psalmist says even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil for you are with me.
And you'll notice that the psalmist doesn't speak of going around the valley or across the valley or skirting the valley or skipping the valley or jumping over the valley.
The psalmist recognises that even that fullness and abundance of life,
Even with that,
There are going to be valleys,
Dark valleys we're going to have to walk through.
But living within that abundance means that even in those darkest valleys the presence of God is with us,
Comforting us and guiding us,
Being held even in the midst of that uncertainty.
Abundance means knowing we are never alone.
It means experiencing joy that is not dependent on circumstances.
It means being deeply rooted in love no matter what comes our way.
I wonder,
Friend,
Where in your life do you already experience a sense of fullness and joy?
In what areas of your life might you long for renewal and growth?
And in both instances,
How might Jesus be inviting you into a deeper experience of abundance,
Not in things but in presence,
His presence?
Close your eyes and picture yourself in a lush,
Green pasture.
The sun is warm,
The breeze gentle,
And you're surrounded by life,
The sound of flowing water,
The scent of wildflowers,
The presence of a loving shepherd who watches over you.
This is the life Jesus offers,
A life where you lack nothing,
Where you are guided and protected,
A life where you're nourished and restored.
Now,
Imagine holding out your hands before you,
And in one hand,
Picture something in your life that feels full and alive,
A place of joy,
Of gratitude,
Or of deep contentment.
And in the other hand,
Hold something that feels dry or weary or in need of some renewal.
And now,
Offer both of those to Jesus.
Let Him remind you that He is the source of every good thing,
And that His abundance is not just for moments of joy,
But also for the places and the times that feel empty.
Sit in the stillness and silence for a moment,
Receiving the life that He longs to pour into you.
Jesus,
You came to bring life,
Not just existence,
But fullness,
Wholeness,
And joy.
Help us to recognise your abundance in our daily lives.
Fill the places in us that feel empty.
Renew the parts of us that are weary,
And teach us to trust that in you,
We lack nothing.
May we walk in the richness of your presence,
Overflowing with love,
Grounded in peace,
And fully open to the abundance you so freely give.
Amen.
As we close today,
Breathe in and out.
And as you go forth from this moment,
May you carry with you the truth that in Christ,
You are never,
Ever empty.
May His presence be your abundance.
May His love be your security.
And may His joy be your strength.
And may you walk in the fullness of life that only He can give.
And may grace,
Peace,
And love go with you every step of the way,
Today and every day.
Peace be with you,
My friends.
Until tomorrow,
God bless you.
