Reclaiming Abundant Life

“…thirteen”

“………fourteen”

“……”

“uhhhhhh…………fift………teen”

“WHA?????”

- -

So, (uhem) today I decided to do an old-fashioned push-up, just me and the Earth going at it!!! There’s nothing like knowing you can move an entire planet with your bear hands, just in case of an emergency, of course (and yes, I meant “Bear Hands”). I realize bears do not have hands, but if they did – besides looking weird – they’d resemble my hands (okay, I may be exaggerating a little) and would enable any bear so desiring to move an entire planet (could be exaggerating here too). A little over 3-months ago the Earth pushed back and I am only now realizing how bear-like I really am.

It didn’t come to any screeching halt (as some have prepared me for), but life definitely jumped a few tracks with the arrival of Caden. Of the countless insights I could convey, there is one unchanging truth with the arrival of all children to this world – there’s less space for you once they land. And that truth is no less apparent in our home, and more specifically, the MASTER bedroom (did you hear the emphasis ‘echo’ when you read the word “MASTER-TER-TER-ter-ter” too?).

It’s amazing how one little change (well…he is a little person) can have such an incredible impact on your life, even things such as nightly push-ups. Weeks of physical discipline and mental attuning rendered useless with the erection of Caden’s little baby hammock crowding my traditional work space! It was as if I traded fitness for fatherhood (wait-a-second!!!). One day I’m minding my own earth-moving business (catching up with Chuck Norris), then the next moment it’s 3-months later and I just now realize I have been push-up free.

Funny how we can forget things so easily.

Actually, it makes perfect sense. I stopped doing Earth-Downs (don’t laugh) because I let something else take its place in my life. I let something else occupy the ground upon which I would exercise. 

Now, let me be honest, I couldn’t care less that Caden’s arrival has changed life up a bit. SO WHAT if I never move the earth again (it was fun while it lasted). SO WHAT if the house becomes a little smaller. Both of those things (and numerous others) are trivial in comparison to the incredible joy I experience every day when my boy looks up at me and smiles! Having him is priceless! I don’t care about those things.

What I do REALLY care about though is understanding how I’ve managed to trade away God’s space in my life!

Ah yes, the point of this absurd blog post.

Our schedules grow…our lives evolve…and sacred ground once held dear in our lives is sold (and far too often) to the lowest bidder.

It’s time with our spouses, our kids, our families, our friends and OUR God that is systematically being sucked away until very little, if anything, remains. It’s like waking up from hibernation to find that the forest you once lived in was fully clear-cut, leaving you now naked and exposed.

Some how, in our slumber, the enemy has managed to steal that which we were made for, that which we were meant for! What’s worse, many of us remain in a zombie-like stupor unfazed at the revelation of this mass-extinction of divine real-estate in our lives.

There was a day, not too long ago when you couldn’t keep your eyes off of her. There was a day, not too long ago, when all you could think about was him. There was a day, not too long ago, that wasn’t complete without that special kiss, that warm embrace, that loving smile. And there was a day, not too long ago, you’d trade every last cent of your worth just to be in His presence.

May today be the day you re-claim the space in your life. Your time spent humbled with God in prayer – re-claim it. Time spent being transformed in his Word – re-claim it! Time spent walking in the presence of God – re-claim it! Time spent exchanging love with your family – re-claim it! Re-claim the Abundant Life you were meant for!

You will never travel this way again. Today comes only once. Eternity beyond this life is closer than ever.

…you have a reputation for being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die…

- Revelation 3 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly

- John 10 (NASB)