Inspiring phrases from 2 Peter: in abundance

Inspiring phrase: in abundance

Context:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.  2 Peter 1:2

My response: Some people live with an attitude of scarcity. Many people do, actually. That sense there is not enough to go around so I need to grasp onto what I can, protect what I have, not trust anyone, not share. What’s mine is mine. I have no duty to give or share or provide for anyone else. They’re not my problem.

Do you recognise that attitude? It’s the one that feels the need to protect our borders, close our doors and refuse hospitality, vote for what serves me best rather than the community as a whole. The personal becomes the social becomes the political.

However, if we live from a position of abundance, then there is a trust that there is plenty to go round. I have everything I need. My God shall supply all my needs. I can open my heart and my home and my life to share generously with others.

Grace and peace can be ours in abundance. God’s grace and peace will never run dry. We can know this for sure. Humanly, we may feel we’ve run out of patience or love or forgiveness or peace or grace, but in God, there is an everlasting source of all that is good.

Abundant living is a mindset. It’s a choice. It happens when we choose to focus on all that we have rather than all that we do not have. We choose to live with an attitude of gratitude rather than grumbling. We choose to appreciate the small things, simple pleasures, rather than yearning for what is out of reach. We choose to recognise that the greatest happiness is found in connection and not stuff.

In the prayer that Jesus taught his followers, he encouraged them to pray for their daily bread – no more, no less. If we take just what we need for each day – no more, no less – there will be plenty to go around.