"And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Have you ever felt those moments of antsiness while waiting for something or someone special? It's those moments where your spirit starts to feel full of that which you haven't received yet in the natural. Before something comes to life, there is an anticipation. There is tendency to feel antsy, like you don't know what to do with yourself, like a family member pacing in the waiting room knowing that a special life is being born just around the corner.
Actually, my family and I are waiting for just that. Our eighth child is on the way soon, and our waiting for her tracks with what we are waiting for in other ways too.
Last year we were living in Jerusalem. One day, my wife walked out of a prayer house and began visiting with someone new. Amidst all the small talk, this woman very candidly said, "You should have more children." Seeing as we have seven amazing kids already, several miscarriages and even a grandchild, my wife's eyes got real big and she laughed – all the while knowing that she wouldn't put it past God to do so. In fact, the suggestion didn't feel like an actual suggestion, but almost more like a prophetic word. The next few days went by and Destiny (my wife) started having certain symptoms that we recognized. So, we went and bought a pregnancy test, and lo and behold, number eight was in there!
We hadn't told anyone yet, when two hours later, a longtime family friend and intercessor wrote us and said, "I had the wildest dream last night, and in the dream I was with you guys and you had eight kids." Talk about a quick confirmation of what God was doing! But it didn't stop there. We received a message from a wonderful friend, who is both a prayer warrior and a birth coach. She also said that she had a dream that we had another daughter whose name was "Abundance."
We know two other people who have also had dreams about this baby, prior to being told about the precious new life on the way; so we believe we are headed toward a God-ordered season of abundance.
Recognizing True Abundance
And that brings me back to this moment, this moment of anticipation and heavenly antsiness that I know many are feeling in a variety of ways. My wife feels it in all the natural anticipations and feelings of the precious and powerful life inside her. And I feel it in the movement and season that is just starting to peak through the threshold. But both are about abundance! (Photo via Pexels)
Many different people, smart and wise people, have different definitions or ideas of what abundance coming to life from/for the Body might look like. Far more studied people than I have written incredible books on the subject. But what I believe lines up with something we are experiencing now – or should I say that my wife, Destiny, is experiencing now: Abundance begins and grows inside of us before she is in our hands.
Often, we want to wait for promises such as those of abundance or wealth to come to us. In a sense, they do, but usually in a more internal, hidden way that lets such promises grow in us and come to life through us, because we each have to prepare for abundance – inside and out – in order to steward her well.
True abundance is a mindset and a posture of heart, a place of fullness even in the midst of apparent lack. Paul alludes to it best, perhaps, in Philippians 4:11-13: "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
The last part of that verse is quoted a lot. In fact, it was one of my favorites growing up. But I hadn't begun to taste of its depth or fullness yet (and probably still haven't). Paul wanted everyone to know that no matter what was going on in the natural, he was full. He was surrendered to a different kind of fullness that wasn't defined merely by externals. I call this true abundance, because he had it at a level that was defined by God rather than by man.
Our ability to transition to this kind of genuine belief and contentment – relaxed, surrendered and not worried, no matter what state or pressure we are in – prepares us to walk in true abundance. It breaks off worry and fear. It breaks abundance out of being defined (confined) by money alone. It recognizes that true abundance is something inside of us before it's in our hands, and how important that is as part of our preparation for such.
My wife would say the same about childbirth. When the pressure builds toward the moment of birth, you can get fearful and try to hold on, or you can rest your mind and your body through the pain and allow what God has been forming in you to come to life in your arms as well. (I don't claim to know enough about this to speak on it, but my wife sure does!)
The point is this: When we get to a place of trust and contentment, realizing we're already full of the promise – full of abundance – we don't have to strive for it or operate from a place of need or lack. We can operate as someone who is already full of a promise. Then, with that mindset we are in position to help give life to that promise for the world to know as well. When we realize what is already inside us through Christ, we are then prepared to be vessels for abundance to make her way forward. (Photo via Pexels)
"One Who Has"
In Matthew 25 and Luke 19, we read the parables where Jesus taught about the talents and the minas. Both are incredible teachings with many facets. But one part sticks out to me that is the same in both of them. The parable of the talents in Matthew 25 wraps up in verse 29 with this: "For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance..." And the parable of the minas is very similar. Luke 19:26 says, "For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given..."
At the end of both of these parables, Jesus teaches us this truth – that "to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance." This reminds us that if we are waiting for God's promise of abundance, or for a wealth transfer, or for a Joseph-like season (when he began to prosper), it is important that we learn, like Paul, to live like "one who has." When we become a people who already have, we will naturally attract the abundance to us so that it can move and multiply through us.
This is not a "fake it 'til you make it" kind of thing. This is a genuine "believe and recognize you are full on the inside, before you receive on the outside." If we will help usher in a season of abundance in the Body of Christ to build His Kingdom during this very special time ahead, we will first learn to live like "one who has." Our need doesn't attract abundance; rather, our internal fullness does. Often, if we see someone in need, we are more naturally prone to give to an extent that only meets their need. But when we see someone walking in something powerful or full of life, we want to give more abundantly to add to it and even help it multiply. It's a natural principle Jesus was reminding us of.
So, as you anticipate the amazing promises God is birthing, which we all love to talk about, remember that, like for my wife, you are first full of abundance that is growing in you before you or the world reap the blessings of abundance in your hands.
If you are waiting for abundance, prepare like "one who has."
Whatever you do, don't miss another ELIJAH LIST email! Subscribe at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Joey LeTourneau
The Occular Institute
Email:Â joey@occular.co
Website:Â occular.community
Joey and Destiny LeTourneau are parents of eight, and grandparents of one precious granddaughter. They are visionaries and pioneers who have lived and traveled all over the world, helping transform communities, cultures and nations by empowering people to discover and live out their unique, God-given purpose and working with both established and emerging leaders. They lead an organization called Freedom U with bases in various parts of the world, and are part of The Occular Institute, a center for economic innovation and reformation with algorithmic solutions to create practical pathways toward community and cultural transformation.
To receive more words like this in YOUR inbox, subscribe FREE to the Elijah List at this link: elijahlist.com/subscribe.
Thank you for making the always-free "Elijah Streams" possible. To partner with us, click here.
Your donations truly help us keep these emails free for you. Donate at:
Find us on:
* Facebook click here
* XAPiT click here
