Fruitful Abundant Living

(originally published in The Daily Press - Religion Section - June 28,2014)

The average Christian is struggling to live out a fruitful and abundant life. Why doesn’t the Sunday morning message translate into Monday morning practical living? While there are many possibilities and no simple answers, let’s consider what insights might be gleaned from looking at titles of media publications.

For nearly a century, LIFE magazine was published weekly until 1972. Within a five year span successor magazines were titled; People, Us, and Self.

LIFE – People – Us – Self. This reflects the culture and radical societal changes of the 60s, which included the quest to “find oneself”. The cultural perspectives clearly shifted from an outward focus on life and community to a myopic perspective on self and desires. This speaks volumes in the breakdown of our Christian faith. As Rick Warren states in his best selling Purpose Driven Life books, “it’s not about you!”

After 30 years in ministry, my observations confirm that the more self-aware we are, the more dissatisfaction and unhappiness we experience. On the flip side, the more Christ-aware we are, the more fulfilled we become, and the more joy we experience.

When I find my thoughts drifting to a place of discontent it is usually because I am self-aware rather than Christ-aware. Self-awareness might include focusing on my past failures, shortcomings, or comparisons to others, all which lead me to a place of turmoil and bondage.

Christ-awareness, however, is focused on a life lived according to the Maker. When we consider that Christians are called to be ambassadors for Christ, ask yourself if you are doing your part to be contagious for the kingdom of God or do your words and actions have the opposite effect? Are you carrying out your servant role to others or are you demanding service from others? Christ’s ambassadors are to lead in love wrapped in grace and truth.

As you become more Christ-aware your self-awareness will fade. You will discover that your relationships will change for the better. It is important in this process to seek out a biblically based church community to fully grasp your identity in Christ.  

Our identity does not come from what we have done, but rather from what Christ has done. It does not come from what people say about us, but rather what God says about us. The Lord does not condemn his children, but unconditionally loves and accepts all that call upon his name.

When we only look inward, choosing to live for temporal things and self, we will eventually come up empty, insecure and dissatisfied. When we look up and out, sharing in the cares of Christ for this world, we find fulfillment. There we discover complete significance, security and acceptance, as we are steadied in the eternal ways of God.

So, finding yourself is really about losing yourself to God’s greater purpose and calling on your life. Therein lies the only fruitful abundant life worth living; regardless of what magazine title is trending on the shelf.