Everyone wants a good life. That idea might make you think of the accumulation of money and things. Or you might hear that and think of a long life. Still another way of interpreting it could have to do fame and notoriety. The meaning of that first sentence might be debated, but the idea of a good life would very likely never be turned down. Yet, Jesus interprets that in a much different way than most of us do. It is what he calls abundant life and it doesn’t have anything to do with money, stuff, length of life, fame, or notoriety. The abundant life he names in John 10:10 is contrary to the life the deceiver offers through the world: that “life” steals, kills, and destroys. Think of how many of the things mentioned in the first paragraph ultimately steal happiness, kill the spirit, and destroy relationships? How many famous people have ended their lives? How many rich people are frustrated and stressed? Even those who have lived a long life have sometimes experienced that many of the later years are frustrating because of the ultimate decline in health that inevitably happens to us. Don’t get me wrong those things are not bad in and of themselves. There are faithful men and women who have navigated fame, fortune, and longevity of life. The stark difference is where they placed their trust and ultimate focus. Did they build their life on the rock–the teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:24-27)– and set their hope on Him rather than the uncertainty of this life’s riches (1 Timothy 6:17). If so, the things of this life can be considered blessings and opportunities to benefit those around us. In the parable of the talents everyone received different amounts, but each were expected to use whatever they were given in the service of the Master (Matthew 25:14-30). God expects the same from us. In that giving of ourselves and living in the service of the King we will find the abundant life so many long for. It is not dependent on the external condition of our lives. His abundant life can be found in a life lived in a spotlight of fame or in a remote village of less than 100 people. His abundance can be experienced with millions of dollars or a widow’s mite. And whether you live to be 100 or something unforeseen takes you from this place far earlier, you can experience an abundant life that includes this mortal one, but far exceeds it — into eternity.