So What's This "Abundant Living"
Stuff All About?
Before I tell you what is it, let me start by telling you what it
definitely isn’t. Several years ago, my husband, Michael, and I both had
comfortable jobs with good companies. As a young couple married only a
short time, you could say we were financially blessed.
The blessing, however, did not come without a price. We worked long
hours. We experienced a great deal of stress at work. We seemed never to
have enough time together. When we were together, our time was usually
tainted by the fact that one of us (usually me) was tired and cranky
from the stresses and strains and never-ending demands of his or her
job.
We were comfortable but not complete. Was this what life was supposed
to be about? Was this treadmill existence all we had to look forward to
for the next 35 years? Did we have to wait until we retired from our
jobs to begin really living and enjoying our lives together?
To make a long story short, we had a chance to do something that most
people would consider radical. We left the comfort of our jobs to start
a home-based business. It was a scary move and times were lean in the
beginning, but now, seven years later, we won’t trade the life we have
together for anything.
What we lost in income, we gained in inner peace and a feeling of
control over our lives. What we lost in material pleasures, we more than
gained in quality time together and richness in our spiritual and family
relationships. Sure, we could have a bigger home, newer cars, and more
money in the bank if we’d stayed in our jobs, but those things
(and that’s all they are to us) would come at a price we’re not
willing to pay at this stage in our lives.
So what is abundant living? In John 10:10, Jesus said He came that
his followers might have life, and have it abundantly. I believe this
abundant life Jesus referred to encompasses many things:
 Responsible spending and financial peace of mind
Good stewardship of our money, time, talent, and environment
Shunning materialism and embracing richness in relationships
A simplified, Christ-like lifestyle with an emphasis on
spiritual growth and service
Full appreciation and enjoyment of each of the many blessings we
have been given
Throughout the 90s, simple living has been a hot trend. I hope,
though, that a simplified, focusing-in-on-what’s-most-important style
of living was not just a phase that many tried for a while but then
outgrew. The tenets of the simple living philosophy are basic biblical
principles that I believe are for everyone. And the beauty of following
these principles is that doing so also leads to the abundant life Jesus
said He came to bring.
Maybe you and your spouse enjoy having dual careers and an upwardly
mobile lifestyle. I am not criticizing anyone who has carefully (and
prayerfully) counted the costs of his or her life choices. My point is
simply this: many people have counted the cost and found, like we did,
that the price is too high. They are looking for a way out but wonder
how it can be done. My word to these people is that there are other
options. Michael and I are living proof that there is life beyond the
corporate treadmill. Not only is there life, but we believe it’s the
best life we could possibly choose.
© Nancy Twigg, 2000
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