A Full Life
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A friend of mine asked me one day for my favorite Scripture. I knew immediately.
“My purpose is to give you life in all its fullness.” (John 10:10)
A couple of days later he showed up at a meeting we both attended with a framed copy of the verse in a beautiful font. I still have it sitting on my desk where I look at it every day. It has been a steadfast verse for me for over thirty years. There are many others that I turn to in various situations but this is my ‘go to’ passage because it covers a multitude.
In this translation, eleven words pack a punch! God tells me his purpose: to give me life in all its fullness. To me this means a life overflowing, large, big, enormous, huge. He doesn’t say there will be no sadness or challenges or difficulties. He simply says I will have a full life.
Now I see that a full life includes highs and lows, ups and down, hurts and happiness, and joys and sorrows. In other words, he will not hold back. He will not keep tabs on how much he gives me. He will not cheat me of the experience of living abundantly–in whatever form that takes. And then I turn to my second favorite verse that will see me through till my last day. What a God we serve.
“Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.” (Isaiah 46:4)
What is one of your favorite verses and why?
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
The other one …….Ask and it shall be given unto you, seek and you shall find.
Both very powerful in my life and I constantly give thanks for my many blessings and understand deeply that ALL IS IN DIVINE ORDER.
Sending you love Dear Karen and to all your family and lovely readers and friends too. Namaste.
Thank you, Kathleen. The verses you quoted are among my favorites, as well. Gratitude and love–the road to the peace that passes all understanding.
“You know every day of mine before even one of them came to be.” Psalm 139
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Phil 4:24
Thank you, Jerri. What beautiful verses you shared. They inspire me and give me hope.
Phil. 4: 8&9
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” With so much negative in the world it reminds me how to have the “Peace that passes all understanding”.
I love this verse, Etta Mae. If only everyone would practice and think on these things, imagine how our world would shift.
James 1:19
Quick to listen
Slow to speak
Slow to become angry
YES, to this beautiful verse, Jing. Thanks for sharing.
The one Etta Mae gave is ONE of my favorites but I have received comfort from Isaiah 26:3 ” Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because thou trusteth in Thee”. My comfort when my son was killed in an auto accident. It did not take away the tears, pain and grief but it certainly did give me the “peace that passeth understanding” which only God can give.
Thanks, Karen, for another beautiful blog!
Love to you, Margaret
Thank you, Margaret. I am experiencing the fruit of this verse during my season of grief, as you did during yours.
Zephaniah 3:17 – “The Lord your God is with you, the mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
I love the image of God rejoicing over me with singing. Praise His holy name. Thank you, Carol.
I love these two verses. I may even stop coloring now! 😉 I love how God speaks so personally to each of us. When I was a new believer in my 20’s, an older woman handed me my four “life verses” in a church service. She didn’t even know me, but they were so appropriate! One of them is Is. 58:11: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your rest.” When I worry and fret (which is often!), this truth helps me focus on Jesus’ sovereignty and love.
Thank you, Columba. I like your verse, as well. Quietness and trust are key elements in my life now.
Great thoughts. Thanks as always for your insights!
Good to hear from you, Kathy. Thanks for your kind words.
Hi Karen, great verses. Don’t remember reading the Isaiah one. Thanks. Might have to write those down. My favorite verse is Proverbs 3:5, 6. Mom had a special verse for each one of us kids and this was mine. So obviously, this is still my fave. I’ve tried living by this verse.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart heart and lean not unto your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your path.
This is obviously a paraphrase but I still love the verse. Christ is my standard and as long as this is so, I’ll be just fine. Everything else will fall into place. Have a great day Karen and GBY.
Thank you, Jim. What a precious custom your mom had of giving each of her kids a special verse. I really like yours.