Abundance

​Here in Southern Ontario, October is a month of abundance - gardens, farmers markets, and orchards  overflow with vegetables, fruits, and herbs. 

In John 10:10 Jesus said these words - “I came so everyone would have life, and have it abundantly.” This kind of abundant life isn’t measured by productivity and success, achievement, wealth and power.

This abundance looks more like shalom - fertility of the land and the wellbeing of all inhabitants - human and more-than-human alike. This kind of abundance is characterized by peace, gladness, and joy in having enough to share. To live well, to live abundantly, we must overcome division and isolation and recognize that our own flourishing depends on the flourishing of all in the community of creation, of neighbours near and far.  

In the closing lines of Wendell Berry’s poem, The Wild Geese, are these words of wisdom: 
Geese appear high over us,
pass, and the sky closes. Abandon,
as in love or sleep, holds
them to their way, clear,
in the ancient faith: what we need
is here. And we pray, not
for new earth or heaven, but to be
quiet in heart, and in eye
clear. What we need is here.

Take time to wander, and to reflect on what is here. 
Where do you see abundance?
How are you experiencing abundance in your life?
What wisdom is this season offering you today?

We remember that sometimes there is an abundance of pain, sorrow, heartache, injustice, and that, too, needs to be named and honoured.