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For almost 20 years I lived a very privileged life. There was nothing I wanted that I could not have, within reason. I was young, married to a very loving and faithful man, with a beautiful family living in a new home self designed and purpose built as per our heart's desires. My health was so good my fitness level was off the scale according to the instructors at the local gym. I excelled in a job I loved and was well thought of and admired by colleagues, professors, students, and others. We had many good friends. I literally "had it all." Life was enjoyable, comfortable, fun, and easy.
Then things started to change. One day my husband came home and showed me a picture of a home cinema he wanted and tentatively sought my approval. At this point in time only movie stars, celebrities, and the very wealthy had this state-of-the-art equipment in their own homes. Even though it was very expensive (almost as much as the price of our house!) I agreed, but on one condition. I wanted something too. I asked for a built-in swimming pool. He agreed and so it was purpose built to our requirements. It was large with a beach area with jacuzzi jets, two swim outs, a pseudo island, and a high natural looking diving area made out of massive moss rocks replete with a cascading waterfall. Following this we also had our quarter acre block of land professionally landscaped with gorgeous palm trees and the backyard looked like a delightful oasis which anyone would love to have. We were living the high life in the leafy, wealthy, eastern suburbs close to the city.
The only problem was debt was mounting. Prior to obtaining all these luxury items we were almost free of any debt. We already had a brand new car. We weren't trying to keep up with the Jones' per se, but we were part of the "beautiful people" set that "deserved" all these things because we worked hard and we played hard. The parties we had were exciting. Nights spent sitting under the hanging grape vines sipping on whatever our hearts desired. People swam in the pool while music was piped outdoors from a sound system that was second to none. We had the best foods money could buy and the wine flowed. The cellar and bar was stocked with bottles of vintage Penfolds, Grange, Hermitage, and many other wines gathering dust just waiting for the perfect time to uncork and indulge.
Things then began to unravel. Along with all these parties came unrighteous behaviours and, before too long, things were a mess. I became very depressed. I didn't know I was suffering with depression until much later. My marriage failed and I walked out. Obviously I was living a covetous existence and there did not seem to be any real purpose or meaning to my life, except that of indulging in excesses of lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16).
Several years later God called me out of the world and it was at exactly the right time when I had hit rock bottom. I had not set out to deliberately do all these things but I lacked the strength of will and character to say no. And I had no plan, no purpose for my life. This is where I can relate to Solomon, King David's son.
Solomon, The Preacher, Author of Ecclesiastes
Reading the whole book of Ecclesiastes gives us enormous wisdom and the benefit of Solomon's experiences. He is telling us that we desire the wrong things in life (Ecclesiastes 5:10-11 and 2:10-11). He had first-hand experience and we should heed this sage advice. Moreover, he is telling us we need to focus on seeking God -- and to seek God while we are young (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10).
King Solomon also gave wisdom within the book of Proverbs. In Chapter 3 there is further guidance for the young and this is where we read "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths" (3:5-6).
Solomon sums everything up concisely in Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments; for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every work into judgement, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil." By seeking God first (Matthew 6:33) we are told that God will give us all those things that we need. If we read further throughout Matthew 6 we see that by storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, we are gaining far more and it will be everlasting (6:19-21).
John 6:27 contains instructions on working at obtaining the nourishment we need that is everlasting. This should be our priority. Like Solomon, I made mistakes. Learning from these mistakes is what is most important.
Obtaining an Abundant Life and Living Well
After repentance, baptism and learning God's way of life by reading the Bible, obeying the 10 commandments, keeping the 7 annual holy day festivals, and putting His plentiful wisdom into practice, I have come to realise that life can indeed be lived abundantly through the process of healing by God's presence in my new life (Psalm 16:11). Ironically I now have great joy, not from the accumulation of things that were "wants" and not needs, but from emulating the example set by Christ.
As God's children we are all invited to an abundant life. We can read about this in Isaiah 55:1-13. I love the way Isaiah starts with "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat, yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price."
Living life more abundantly involves gaining great pleasure and joy from the simple things in life. Instead of being depressed, or just "going through the motions", imagine getting up each day and actually enjoying everything you do because there is purpose and meaning. All the blessings we receive daily are amazing (Psalm 37:4). We learn to have this outward focus rather than this inward "me" focus. Thinking about others, praying for them, helping them in various ways, should augment our Christian lives to the point where we are full -- filled with joy that we have been chosen by God to serve and serve well. What an absolutely amazing honour and how good it is to see that service working in others lives.
The best things in life are free
And so, by living this way -- seeking out the spiritual before the physical -- we can all partake of the fruits of God's Spirit. These are found in Galatians 5:22-23. It is so abundantly good to live a righteous life, asking God daily for wisdom, more of His Spirit, and to keep that all important connection to God through prayer.
In John 10:10 the very words from Jesus Christ inform us "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." Abundant life comes by completely reversing our heart's direction to focus fully on God's ways. Psalm 119:36-37 is written for our benefit. We read: "Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way." Also, in Luke 12:15 Jesus says, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."
Our lives can be transformed through the process of taking stock of our life, paring down, and peeling back all the unnecessary things that we may no longer use or desire. We need to get down to the very core and retain only what is profitable for our spiritual growth. God will take care of the rest if we trust Him and put Him first. By simplifying our lives we gain more space to fill it with the meaningful things that we need to include -- developing our relationship with God, and with others.
Finally, I would like to finish with an excerpt from Psalm 116:12-14 which states "What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits towards me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people." Psalm 116 in its entirety has an abundance of great meaning for all of God's people.