The Abundant Life: Devotion for November 24

It’s that time of year again. The “buy, buy, buy” season has arrived in full force. Everywhere we turn—newspapers, inboxes, store aisles—we’re met with advertisements promising happiness if we’ll just purchase one more thing. It’s ironic, really. Our culture defines abundance as having a great and plentiful amount… fullness to overflowing. And so we’re urged to accumulate, indulge, upgrade, and acquire—supposedly in pursuit of an “abundant” life.

And of course, who doesn’t want an abundant life? We all want to do more than just get by. We want to flourish. We want joy, purpose, and meaning. We make countless sacrifices chasing this vision—working more hours, spending more money, giving more of ourselves than we sometimes have. And when the things we chase don’t deliver, it drains us. A little at a time.

Jesus talked about abundance too, but his definition is nothing like the one we’re sold in glossy ads.

I want to hold up two simple truths.

We often look for the abundant life in all the wrong places.

In a culture that constantly measures worth in possessions, purchases, success, and appearance, we’ve handed far too much power to things that cannot speak truth about who we are. No amount of stuff—no matter how shiny or impressive—can give us the joy, security, purpose, or satisfaction we’re ultimately longing for.

The abundant life is found only in Christ.

In Jesus, we are embraced, understood, and redeemed by love. That love gives us what the world cannot: true joy, real security, deep purpose, and lasting satisfaction. The abundant life is not something we achieve; it is something we receive.

But here’s an important reminder: the abundant life does not mean a trouble-free life. Loved ones will still get sick. Loss will still come. Not every relationship will heal overnight. Finances won’t magically become perfect. Our enemies may remain our enemies.

What changes is us—not necessarily our surroundings.

The abundant life gives us the capacity to live with peace even when our circumstances are not peaceful. It softens our hearts toward difficult people, steadies us when life is shaky, and roots us in a love that outlasts every storm.

The abundant life doesn’t silence the chaos around us, but it does plant peace within us.

Hard to imagine? Absolutely. But that’s because this life—this fullness—isn’t something we shop for. It’s not a reward for good behavior or a prize for perfect faith. It is a promise. A gift. Something freely given by the One who came not to burden us with expectations but to offer us life—deep, rich, overflowing life.

Blessings to you in the name of the One who came so that we may have life, and have it abundantly.

Featured art: Sieger Köder, The Good Shepherd, (1925-2013) is a famous artwork by the German priest and artist, depicting Jesus as a loving shepherd caring for his sheep. The painting is known for its emotional and expressive style, often interpreted as a story about God's care for humanity. Köder created several versions and variations of this theme, including stained glass windows.