When talking with clergy about self-care, I often use a verse from Scripture that many of us are familiar with: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 NRSVue).

As I begin sharing it, many people mouth it right along with me, because it’s such a familiar verse. Then, I ask a question that grounds our discussion of practices they can engage to fuel their lives and ministries: “What does abundant life mean to you?”

In a time when so many things in our world seem topsy-turvy, it’s a relevant question for all of us to consider. What does an abundant life mean to me?

Our capitalistic society would tell you that abundance is about amassing stuff while scarcity of actual necessities is a punishment, as food benefits for those most in need and health care have been under threat.

This abundance is about appearing to be successful in a traditional sense, having what you want, living a certain kind of lifestyle. But in this season, there’s something more meaningful to settle into.

This Bible verse that many of us know by heart is embedded in a passage where Jesus is impressing upon his disciples the importance of a deep relationship — of living as sheep who know the voice of their shepherd. He goes into the details of how sheep follow the shepherd because they recognize and can distinguish his voice from others.

Maybe, in this world, true abundance is not about what we have, but it’s about what we listen and look for. What does it mean to look for God in a politically divided country? In a fractured world? What does it mean to look for God in the face of job loss, grief and disappointment? What does it mean to look for God when we have questions for God?

One of the gifts of our faith is that we have access to this abundance even in the midst of circumstances that suggest otherwise. When we stay connected to our shepherd and attune ourselves to God’s activity all around us, we can tap into abundance as a way to navigate a world that can be cruel. One poignant definition describes abundance as “overflowing fullness.” Doesn’t that sound like the fruit of a faithful life?

As Jesus told the disciples, his purpose was to offer us access to this abundant life, but it’s our job to accept the offer, just as it is the job of sheep to look for their shepherd. We must engage deeply in our faith to experience its fullness — guidance, direction, strength to weather the storms of life, and a promise that God’s intentions for us are good.

Accepting the offer of an abundant Christian life is not settling into a place of luxury and contentment, although I pray all of us have moments of pure enjoyment. Ours is an active faith, not a passive one. Thus, the call to an abundant life is also a call to serve from this place of abundance. This service is the overflow. It is an invitation to reside in our deep connection with God, and to yield to the stirring of the Holy Spirit as it challenges us to do good in the world, even though the world itself doesn’t seem good right now.

What good does an abundant life mean for us if we are not offering it to others? Who are we if not the hands and feet of Christ?

In search of this overflowing fullness, we all must ask ourselves an important question: Am I fueling myself for the journey? The fuel can look different for each of us, but here are some suggestions for reconnecting with abundance if we are not feeling it in our daily lives:

  • Commit to a daily spiritual practice. It should feel accessible and spiritually nourishing. For some that might be a devotional reading or lectio divina; for others it might be listening to music, meditation, prayer or a regular fasting practice.
  • Take inventory of your support network. Are you leaning into relationships that feel safe, mutually beneficial and honest?
  • Take care of your body. Attending to your body in healthy ways is one of the ways we worship a divine Creator. In times of struggle, many of us might turn to coping mechanisms that provide a quick fix for feeling better, but don’t help our bodies in the long term. Sticky spots are a great time to double down on small, sustainable choices like nutrition, prioritizing sleep or taking a 15-minute walk during your lunch break.
  • Practice gratitude. I am not suggesting that you ignore what’s going on around you or engage in toxic positivity that pretends that everything is well when it’s not. This is an invitation to see the good, especially the small blessings, as we reckon with the challenges. Our awareness of the good is an act of resistance that helps to drive our determination to change what is wrong. We are complex human being who can hold two (or more) truths at one time.
  • Make a ripple. Set an intention to have a positive impact in the world around you. All of us have a sphere of influence where we can do good and be good in the world. For some, this might be community service or activism; for others, this might be vocational activities or committing to show up for individuals in your family or community.

Remember, abundance isn’t just ours individually. Our relationships with God and with others provide the overflow, and spiritual practices help provide sustainability. The world needs each of us healthy, whole and sharing.