We’ve all experienced Black Friday shopping and the anticipated early morning rush to department stores that often result in injured customers and destroyed merchandise. The madness of anticipated scarcity is a powerful force that drives people to push, shove, yell, and grab like it is the end of the world.
Somewhere along the way in our culture, it was decided that whatever it takes to live a full and happy life is in short supply. We must dash out and grab it before it is gone! Somehow this has also translated personally to people fighting for acceptance and love as if it, too, is in short supply.
No doubt, there are people in our world that truly do not have enough—food, clothing, or love! And when we’re in a place where we can reach out to these individuals to help them, we should! They are our “neighbors” in need.
But there are others around us who are binging on everything in sight simply to have more and more and more! Perhaps more than their neighbor, more than their parents, or more than they had last year. Self-indulgence is perceived as scarcity.
However, Jesus tells us in the Bible, “I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance” (John 10:10, Holman Christian Standard Bible). This means that when we are in a relationship with Him, we have more than we need. The perceived scarcity in life is replaced with a life full of God’s love, grace, and provision. There is no limit on His availability and His care.
When we realize how truly rich we are in Christ, we can be at peace knowing there is no need to fear scarcity. Let us be thankful this season for the abundant life we have that will never be in short supply.