Living in Abundance: Leaving Fear Behind
“God created you for good!” Let it sink in for a minute. Repeat the phrase five to ten times, “I am created and designed for good.”
Notice your initial reaction. You may experience a sense of gratitude. You know this is your true, created state. For others, your gut reaction is one of unbelief. You have suffered and these words ring hollow. You’ve experienced trials, difficulties, and incurred great harm on your journey through the world. When you say these words, you question their validity.
Both reactions are natural. Each response reflects your experience of the world. It also reflects your understanding and consciousness of God. Your lack of trust in these words may be warranted. The human world can be harsh and demanding. You face inequities and struggle in daily life. The negative events you have experienced are bound to leave scars on your soul. As a result, your consciousness directs not towards your highest good, but a constant spiritual survivor mode.
Living in Abundance: Faith, Wisdom, and Love
Consider Jesus at the beginning of his ministry. Historically, we know very little of Jesus’s childhood, adolescents, and early adulthood. Jesus was the son of a carpenter and likely grew up poor as he lived in the peasant village of Galilee. While he lived in proximity to the culturally vibrant towns of Sepphoris and Tiberius; it is unlikely that he would have even been middle class because of the oppressive structure of the Roman empire. In addition, Jesus was likely a “subject” versus a “citizen” of the Roman empire further detracting from his cultural and economic influence.
Modern culture looks at socioeconomic and educational background as a measurement of potential for success. Economic advantages, educational opportunities, and access to resources often determine an individual’s level of success. However, Jesus had none of these advantages. Despite this, Jesus began a ministry that not only affected ancient Israel, but the entire world. Bearing in mind Jesus’s background, how did he develop the ideas, dreams, and concepts of his ministry? We often read the Bible as if Jesus just woke up one day and God laid out a divine plan for him to follow. Yet, if Jesus is a true representative of the human experience on planet earth; then you have to dismiss this notion.