The World Is My Sea Monkey

As a boy in central Michigan, I spent a good portion of my elementary school days as a Cub Scout. And as a Cub Scout, I had a subscription to Boy's Life Magazine (anyone else remember Boy's Life?). One of the things I always looked forward to in getting my subscription was digging to the back pages for the classifieds. Ads for every wondrous thing awaited: books on becoming the next Charles Atlas (even though, by then, there wasn't an 11-year-old alive who actually knew who he was), X-Ray specs, and Sea-Monkeys!

Sea-Monkeys were many a child's first lesson in disappointment. In the ad, they were like tiny mer-people. They grew big, were a lot of fun, and could even be trained! Why, they were "instant pets!" In reality, of course, they were brine shrimp, and with the aid of the accompanying "Growth Food," could grow to a gigantic 0.5 inches. Eventually.

Temptation is a lot like that. We build up this idea of what Sin is like (assuming we even call it sin). We assume the Christian life will be this dull, empty, rules-filled life that will just suck the joy out of whatever time we have on earth. Ultimately, however, though it may indeed be enjoyable for a time, sin will disappoint. It will leave you unfulfilled. And worst of all, it will lead to death (Romans 6:23)!

Jesus Christ, however, is exactly what He claims to be. In John 14:6, He tells us, "I am the Way, the Truth, and The Life." He is our way, not only to Heaven -- not only to audience with the Father -- but to a fulfilled life.

John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Really, It's Just a Fun Word To Say

John 10:10 is a familiar enough verse, neatly tucked at the end of Jesus' description of Himself as a shepherd, who keeps the gate of the sheepfold against "thieves and robbers."

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

There's a lot of confusion in our world about the meaning of that word: "Abundantly." Purveyors of the prosperity Gospel will tell you it means God wants to grant you health and wealth on earth, and to give you a comfortable life.  Of course, if we look at the rest of Scripture, we can pretty quickly rule that out. But what does it mean?

Some synonyms for "Abundant:"
copious, profuse, overflowing, plentiful, teeming, rich.

When Jesus talks about Life, most often, He is referring, not merely to our temporary bodies, but our entire selves. Our souls. He's not talking just about our brief time on this planet, but our eternities, starting right now. 

I have come to believe that an Abundant Life is one given up to the Will of God. It is a life filled, teeming, overflowing with the Love of our Savior. It is a life of service to God and His people. An abundant life is a life free from Sin, not given over to temptation, and filled with the joy that can only come by being called a Child of God.