“Will Nancy Ruegg please come to the gate counter,” a voice announced over the airport PA system. My one-track mind was deep into a book but fortunately I heard my name.
What could they possibly want with me? I wondered, while gathering my belongings and approaching the counter.
“Mrs. Ruegg,” began the attendant, “we have a favor to ask of you. Would you mind changing your seat so a father and son can travel together? You’d still be in an aisle seat.”
“Sure—I can do that,” I responded. She thanked me, changed my ticket, and I returned to the waiting area. Sometime later, they called my name again and asked the same favor. Though further back in the plane, I’d still be on the aisle so I said yes.
And then, just before boarding they called me up a third time: “Mrs. Ruegg, because you’ve been so kind, we’d like to put you in first class. We happen to have an empty seat.”
Now imagine if I’d responded, “Oh, no thank you. I’d much rather stay in the main cabin.”
How silly! I would have missed:
- the relative peace and quiet of first class
- the blessings of more leg room and a wide, cushy seat that actually reclines
- the attentive care of the flight attendant, who even addressed me by name
- the privilege of a full meal and delectable snacks—way beyond peanuts and pretzels
That’s a lot of benefits to pass up, if I’d said no. Yet that’s exactly what we’re prone to do in day-to-day life. We forego a life of satisfying upgrades and settle for a lot of frustrating futility, because we don’t avail ourselves to the benefits Christ offers.
‘Remember what he said?
Many versions of the Bible use the term, “abundant life,” indicating a surplus, a super-abundance of a thing [1].
Of course, Jesus wasn’t promising a trouble-free life, any more than sitting in first class that day solved all my problems. Rather, the abundant life consists of knowing God and experiencing the fruit of that relationship—into eternity [2].
What might “the fruit of relationship” with God include? Some qualities share characteristics with first class on a flight:
- Peace and quiet—of mind and spirit
- The delight of many blessings
- The attentive care of a heavenly Father who knows each of us by name
- The privilege of access to God’s Word, providing rich soul-sustenance [3]
But that’s not all; the list continues. (No doubt these are familiar to many of you, but seeing them altogether rekindles the wonder, I think):
- An intimate relationship with the God of the universe
- His unfailing love
- Inexpressible and glorious joy
- Wisdom to choose the best means for the best end
- Guidance for the way forward
- God’s help and strength
- Freedom from guilt and worry
- Fulfilling purpose
- Contentment [4]
It’s a magnificent list, isn’t it? So why aren’t we availing ourselves of these benefits?
Instead, we’re sitting in the main cabin of life with the constant rumble in our minds of nagging worries and worthless trifles, the crush of responsibilities pressing in on all sides, and a lack of sustenance to feed our hungry souls.
What will usher us into the abundance of first-class living? We follow the judicious instructions of our Maker—and move toward obedience.
These three steps offer a start:
- Get to know God through frequent study of his Word, the Bible. (See A Feast You Don’t Want to Miss/.)
- Avail ourselves through prayer to his “abundant provision of grace.” (See Undeserved-Goodness-Part-1/).
- Start the day alert for God’s guaranteed blessings and end the day with gratitude for his benevolent goodness. (See Balancing-the-Scales/).
We’ll soon discover: “A life of holiness is a life of real happiness—happiness for time and for eternity” (John MacDuff).
‘Anyone still interested in peanuts and pretzels?
[1] William Barclay, The Gospel of John, 69.
[2] https://insightforliving.ca/read/articles/finding-balance-between-abundant-life-and-challenges.
[3] Isaiah 26:3; Psalm 23:5; Psalm 121; Isaiah 43:1; Jeremiah 15:16.
[4] James 4:8; Psalm 86:15; 1 Peter 1:8; Proverbs 2:1-11 and J. I. Packer, Knowing God;
Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 8:1; Philippians 4:6-7; Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 4:11-12.
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