Life to the full

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10

This verse is one where Jesus tells it like it is! He doesn't soften his words or miss and hit the wall! Neither does He dress it up. He simply tells us that there are two voices, two directions, two destinies, and that we get to choose which one to follow!

The thief, Jesus says, comes with a purpose: to steal, kill, and destroy. Notice the progression. The thief starts with a small theft, a stolen peace, a stolen joy, a stolen hour, a stolen hope. But then it grows. That's how the enemy works, quietly at first, gradually bit by bit, until what began as a minor loss becomes a life drained of colour!

But then comes the good bit For He says. "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."

That word "full" is the main operand. And It carries with it the sense of overflowing, abundance, running over the edges full, Not just existence, not just survival, not just getting by or just about making it to Friday, but ‘Life to the fullest and life overflowing.

And the part that hits me every time in this verse is that Jesus doesn't say He came to give us a better version of the life we already have. He says He came to give us life, real life, the kind that only the ‘Giver of life’ can give. The kind that doesn't depend on circumstances, bank accounts, or how our week is going.

So as you sit with your coffee, ask yourself this simple question:

What has the thief been trying to take from me lately?

Peace? Perspective? Gratitude? Rest?

And then remember the second half of the verse,

Because the Shepherd is still speaking. He is still offering life. Not some rationed out life, some meagre measured-out life, a just enough kind of life; but an abundant life. A full life. A life that overflows.

The table is set, our cup is full and overflowing, so drink deeply today.

Have a great day, and God bless.

Trev.