Christ wants us to have an abundant life. Our environments can determine who we become. We may need to change our environment so we can think bigger and live more abundantly. Probably with many Christians they don’t believe that God will give them more than they would ever expect. To have the abundant life Christ promises requires bigger thinking. Get rid of a limited vision. God created us to have tremendous abilities and potential.

John 10:10 – “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.”

Scripture is referring to the devil who comes to defeat us. But God has a better plan. Scripture tells us, God’s purpose for us is never an afterthought; it was planned prior to our birth. This has always intrigued me. What was God’s purpose for my life? If I knew that, I am sure doing that which I was created to do, would make my life different and more meaningful. I continually searched for the answer. (Jeremiah 1:5 – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”)

The Bible is very clear that God has a purpose for us and he created us with the abilities to fulfill whatever that purpose might be. Satan has an agenda to keep us from performing what God had intended for us. Satan plants the seeds of insecurity, low self-esteem, unworthiness and even fear to stop us from completing what God intended. He may use parents, siblings, teachers or employers to put us down. It seems he finds ways to discourage and defeat us, but only if we allow it. Most people live lives with God-given gifts that they have never developed or used. What would the world be like if we all sought God’s intended purpose and we used our God-given talents to go with it?

After years of searching, I found that there is a difference between God’s purpose for our lives and what the talents that we were given, if used correctly, would give a successful career and life fulfilling accomplishments. God’s purpose was that every one of us would not perish but become a part of His family. (Matt. 18:14)

God created us to worship Him and develop a relationship with Him. He wants us to accept Christ as our Savior and become like Him. God wants us to serve through the church. We were created to minister for Christ and share the gospel to the world. This we can do. What about the type of job we should have or what our goals should be? I found that consistently praying for God to guide me, I happen to find jobs I really enjoyed doing and was able to achieve success. God opened doors and He closed a few. I had some jobs I disliked and knew that I would never be successful working with my hands. I worked one summer as an electrician’s helper and one summer logging for Weyerhaeuser Lumber Co. My talents were to use my head and not my hands when looking for future employment.

Normally as children we just grow up. We go through grade school and enter high school. We get a driver’s license, finish school and possibly get married. We then start the cycle over again for our children. How often do we stop and think: what is my purpose in life and what direction should I be taking? Why have I been put on this earth? I am told that many older people close to death often wonder what their purpose on earth was and did they fulfill it? Wouldn’t it be better to know why God put us on this earth and then live for years accomplishing that purpose? When our final day comes we can say we did our best to fulfill our purpose and helped others succeed while we were here. I know some parents whose greatest achievement in life was raising their family. Because of them, their children made the world a much better place.

One thing I learned was the importance of preparation that the Apostle Paul continually stressed. It was the key to success. I learned the seriousness of trusting in God’s promises. I became aware that the Holy Spirit was given to us that we might have confidence and comfort in what we were doing, a guiding hand to do it well and to know when we were fulfilling God’s purpose in our life. God had opened doors through which we could chose to enter. Yes, there were times that doors slammed shut and probably kept me from going in the wrong direction.

Another thing I learned was found in James 1:5 –“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” I found that it was necessary to overcome my wrong thinking and think positively as the Bible states. Once I started living the life God tells us to live, my life changed drastically. I am old enough to tell you that what God promises is available to every Christian that commits their life to trying to live as Jesus demonstrated. THINK BIG! Become what God has planned for you.