WHEN HELP GOES UNRECEIVED: Embracing the Abundant Life Jesus Offers.
- Dr. Jackie Minor
- Nov 2
- 4 min read
Have you ever had a student, colleague, friend, or family member who wouldn’t accept your help? As educators, we pour our hearts into the lives of people. We often see potential others can’t see in themselves. There are times when we offer guidance, encouragement, and support, only to watch them turn away from the very help that could change everything.
I can distinctly remember one particular student who resisted every effort I made to support him. No matter what I tried, he refused to accept help. I wasn’t sure why. Maybe past failures had stolen his hope. Maybe he felt unworthy or incapable. Maybe he was just tired, worn out from trying but seeing no results. Perhaps, deep down, he was simply afraid of failing one more time.
Whatever it was, it kept him stuck, ensuring failure without the chance of success. Honestly, it broke my heart. However, as I reflected on this particular student, I couldn’t help but wonder. How often do we do the same thing in our relationship with Jesus? We say we believe. We serve faithfully. We even know His promises by heart. If the truth were known, however, many of us are not fully living the abundant life Jesus talked about. My teacher’s heart broke watching a student refuse help. Imagine how it must grieve the heart of God when His children live beneath the abundance He longs for them to have.
What Is the Abundant Life?
In John 10:10, Jesus makes a powerful statement.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Two questions spring to mind when I read these words.
What is abundant life?
Am I truly experiencing it?
Let’s pause for a moment on that word abundant. In Greek, the word is perisson. It is an adjective describing something “over and above, more than is necessary, beyond measure, superfluous…considerably more than what one would expect.”1 Wow! Would you describe your life that way?
If we’re honest, many of us wouldn’t. It is not because we don’t believe Jesus’ promise but because we’ve misunderstood what abundance really means. The world tells us abundance looks like more—more money, more comfort, more success, more stuff. However, these things—the things of the world—can’t fill the emptiness inside. They leave us restless and longing for more. If we define abundance by material gain, we’ll end up like my student, defeated before we even begin. Jesus invites us to something far better.
Where is Abundance Found?
Before going to the cross, Jesus offered up a prayer.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)
Abundant life is eternal life. It is a life that begins the moment we come to Christ, and it continues to grow as we know Him more deeply. Dr. Tony Evans puts it beautifully in his Bible commentary.
To receive eternal life is to enter into the divine realm with the goal of experiencing an intimate relationship with God through Jesus, a relationship that will grow throughout eternity. It is the uninterrupted, deepening knowledge and experience of God. This is the purpose for which we were created.2
True abundance is not found in possessions; rather, it is realized in presence (i.e., God’s presence with us and within us through His Spirit). When we grasp who God truly is—compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, merciful, abounding in love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6–7)—our perspective shifts. We no longer strive to earn His favor. We simply rest in it, and that’s where abundance begins.
What Does Abundance Look Like?
Jesus described the fruit of an abundant life.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!” (John 15: 9,11)
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Peace. Love. Joy. Rest. Who doesn’t want these things, especially educators who pour out so much of themselves every day? The good news is that Jesus doesn’t offer these sparingly. He gives them in abundance! He also doesn’t leave us to figure it out on our own. He sends the Holy Spirit—our Advocate, Counselor, and Teacher—who reminds us of truth, strengthens us when we’re weary, and transforms us to be more like Christ (John 14:26; 16:7; 2 Corinthians 3:18).
The Choice to Receive
The abundant life is not a one-time experience. It is a daily journey. Abundance comes from learning, growing, failing, and trying again. It’s choosing to walk by the Spirit, allowing Him to produce fruit in us that spills over into our classrooms, our homes, and our communities.
“Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22–23)
That’s what true abundance looks like—a life so full that it overflows, allowing others to see Jesus in us.
An Invitation to Abundance
Are you living abundantly today? Is the fruit of the Spirit evident in your words, your classroom, and your relationships? If not, it’s not too late. Jesus stands ready to “…give you everything you need” (Matthew 6:33). Let’s be educators who accept His help, receive His gifts, and live lives that reflect His overflowing grace. Abundance isn’t found in what we have. It’s found in Who we know.
Heavenly Father, thank You for offering a life that overflows with Your presence, peace, and joy. Forgive me for the times I have settled for less or tried to define abundance by the world’s standards. Help me to receive Your assistance fully. Help me to walk by Your Spirit and reflect Your love to those around me. As I teach, lead, and serve, let my life point others to You, the source of true abundance. In Your precious name, Amen.
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References
2. Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Bible Commentary. Holman: Nashville, TN. Page 1056.
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