By Justin DeWeese, assistant athletic director of communications and operations
This week’s theme: From scarcity to abundance
This week’s Scriptures: Isaiah 43:16-21 | Psalm 126 | John 12:1-8 | Philippians 3:4b-14
The abundance of God is a part of Him that has abundantly been on my mind recently.
I have always been one for tradition. Sometimes too much. I always chose the same restaurant to eat at for my birthday dinner, even if I wasn’t necessarily feeling it that day. I still watch Family Feud on Christmas Eve because it happened a couple of years in a row, and then I made it a tradition. Traditions are unique and fun. But relying too much on “what has been” can prevent you from seeing God’s bigger picture and “what’s in store.”
If I were to do life my way, my path would be a slight incline to a finish line – a scarcity mindset. Instead, I’m choosing to live my life through God’s plans, and that path looks a little different than mine. It has rough terrain, loopty-loops, hills and valleys, scary obstacles and bad weather. It is not based on tradition and comfort but instead on challenges and newness. I have yet to see or know what is at that finish line, but I put my trust in God and his abundance that it will be so much better than anything I could have planned. If one of my plans doesn’t work out, I realize that God has something better for me in mind.
Mary anointed Jesus with expensive oil, giving everything she had. That’s an abundance mindset. When Jesus fed the multitudes, he not only provided enough to satisfy their hunger, but the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of leftovers! That’s God’s abundance seen in action. It’s scary to give everything you have to God. But I am reaching for those things which are ahead and recognizing all the places in my life where God has provided abundantly. I encourage you to do so as well.