Live Now: Embracing the Abundant Life

Inspired by insights from Living in the Garden of Grace by David Kuykendall

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
— John 10:10

Jesus didn’t come merely to offer us eternal security after death; He came to give us life—abundant, overflowing, and vibrant life—right now. This life isn't something we need to wait for or strive to earn. It’s already ours in Christ. Yet, many believers find themselves disconnected from this fullness, weighed down by the past or anxiously looking toward the future.

Imagine standing in a lush, flourishing garden, surrounded by vibrant flowers and ripe fruit. The air is fresh, and everything you need is within reach. But instead of savoring this garden, you keep staring at the worn path behind you or squinting into the distant horizon, missing the beauty and provision right in front of you.

This is how many live—either stuck in past regrets and achievements or lost in future worries and plans. But Jesus invites us to breathe deeply of His Spirit and live fully in the present, where His grace is active and abundant.

Why Do We Struggle to Live Now?

1. Bound by the Past
   Some are tangled in memories—past successes that foster pride or past failures that breed shame. But in Christ, the past no longer defines us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The past has been nailed to the cross, and we are free to live in the present reality of God’s grace.

2. Anxious for the Future
   Others are consumed with what’s ahead—waiting for the next milestone, the next opportunity, or even the next trial. Jesus reminds us, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34). The fullness of life is not found in what’s coming but in resting in His sufficiency today.

3. Misunderstanding Grace
   Many believe abundant life is something they must achieve through effort, but Jesus says it’s something we receive through continual experience of His grace. This grace is not a one-time gift but an endless wellspring that refreshes and sustains us moment by moment.

Living Now in His Grace

To live abundantly is to lean fully into the grace that Jesus has already provided. It’s realizing that the garden of His provision surrounds us, and all we need is already within reach. We are invited to pick the fruit of His peace, joy, and love—to rest in the shade of His presence and walk freely in His purpose.

Grace doesn’t demand that we fix the past or control the future. It calls us to live now, trusting that Christ's finished work is enough for today.

A Prayer of Rest in Abundant Life

Father,
Thank You for the abundant life You have freely given through Jesus. I rest in the truth that Your grace is active and sufficient for me right now. No past mistake can overshadow the new creation I am in Christ, and no future worry can steal the peace You’ve placed within me. I rejoice in the fullness of life You’ve provided and walk today in the freedom of Your presence. May my heart stay anchored in the present, drawing deeply from Your endless well of grace.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Final Thought

Jesus didn’t promise a distant life of abundance—He offered it for today. Let’s stop reaching backward or straining forward and start living fully in the garden of His grace, right here and now.