October 4

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. — John 10:10 BSB

To experience abundant life, we must actively use the life we already have. If a child wants their weak arm to grow stronger, they must exercise it. A blacksmith strengthens his muscles by repeatedly wielding his hammer. If you want to develop mental strength, you must use your brain. The same is true of every faculty of life—if you want your capacity for sympathy, service, or love to grow, you must put it into practice. Start by using what little strength or compassion you have, and soon you will find yourself capable of even greater acts of love and service.

But if you sit idle and make no effort, your life will shrink and wither. As Horace Bushnell said, “If the stars did not move, they might rot in the sky!” The curse on many Christian lives is inactivity. If you do not use your hand, it will eventually wither. The same is true for all our physical, mental, and spiritual abilities—if they are not used, they will die. If you want to experience abundant life, use every bit of life you have, and you will grow into the fullness of strength and power.