Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

From the moment I received Jesus as my savior, I became a child of God. As time goes on, I gain a better understanding of what all that means. To me, it fundamentally means that He loves me, leads me, sustains me, and He sees me as His own. Life on this earth certainly isn’t perfect. In fact, there is often hardship, suffering, and pain. But he has provided and planned for me in ways that I didn’t even know I needed, and I haven’t had to do it by myself. He has so kindly blessed me with people to do life with at every turn. For example, tonight, a trusted friend spoke much needed truth and encouragement over my wife and I; tomorrow we will gather to enjoy worship and prayer with our church family. There are ups and downs in this life, but I walk none of it alone. Bringing meaning to every trying, victorious, or mundane moment of each day, God is present through it all.  I am comforted as he draws me into a deeper relationship with him. And one of the greatest things of all is that God makes good promises, and he always keeps them.

One of these promises that brings immense hope is in today’s verse. You see, you and I can live completely differently as children of the Most-High King. In fact, John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to bring us life abundantly. We live in a broken world, yet he wants to take our brokenness and redeem it for good. But it gets even better!

In today’s verse God is promising us that things will be unimaginably better when we are with Jesus. Can you believe that? Picture this: every bad thing is gone… No more physical ailment; no more pain and suffering; no more hurt, loss, or sorrow. With every consequence of a fallen world gone, all that is left is every good and perfect gift that you were designed for from the beginning. And best of all, it's in the presence of the One who designed it! That’s right, if you are a follower of Jesus, you will get to spend eternity with him; experiencing the fullness of who he is, in all his glory.

Please know that whatever your circumstances in this moment, whether trying or triumphant, you are seen, known, and loved by God. The hope in knowing that one day we will experience Jesus for everything he is, is outstanding, but you can begin experiencing his holiness, power, and abundance today! The pain, excitement, or apathy that you experience today is real and God sees you in that. He also wants to hold you close and for you to not walk in that alone. He mourns with you in your pain, celebrates with you in your victory, and wants to inspire you in your apathy. Is it time for you to step out in faith and invite him in? Do you already know him but want to go deeper? Maybe you are being called to walk alongside someone else and share the supernatural hope that Jesus offers. If you aren’t sure, ask him to lead you in that.

God, thank you for meeting me where I was, loving me where I am, and leading me into a life of abundance. Things aren’t always easy; in fact, you know that sometimes I downright struggle but thank you for carrying me through it all. And thank you for the hope I have in your promises. Please continue to teach me the truth of who you are and help me to follow wherever you lead. Amen!