Dear Members and Friends,

               In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” In this, Jesus makes a claim on his purpose in juxtaposition to other powers that seek to do the alternative – steal, kill, and destroy. Something to notice is that this “life abundant” is about this life and not simply about the promise of life to come. This is about the sacred time between birth and death, this life in community, this life together.

           Our faith is more than a promise about what happens at the end of our life but makes a claim on what happens in the midst of this life. So, what does life abundant look like? Some have said that the signs of a strong faith are health and wealth, yet the most faithful people I have ever met live in great poverty. In the same fashion, I have known people of deep faith who have suffered greatly in health. This life abundant must look like something else.

           Maybe, just maybe, life abundant is more about a life of purpose. What if the abundance is an abundance of spirit-filled life. What would our life look like if we had an abundance of goodness, kindness, and love? What about peace, patience, and gentleness? What does life abundance look like for you? How is Jesus calling forth that life within you?

Grace and Peace,

Daren Hofmann