Perissos

pe-res-so's - greater, excessive, abundant; beyond what is anticipated, exceeding expectation; going past the expected limit, more than enough, over and above, more than is necessary, and SUPERADDED.

A few months ago I had the amazing opportunity to attend a women's conference, where I was introduced to an amazing speaker and writer, Hosanna Wong. I was so moved and blown away by her spoken words that I had to buy her book. Over the past several months I have been on a journey of discovery, a journey to find the life that God truly wants for me. This journey has lead me down a road that has not always been smooth, but is leading to this life of abundance that God has planed for each and everyone of us.

Perissos?

What is this word perissos, and what does it mean?

If you have kids, or if you were ever a kid then you can relate to wanting more. Being a mom of 3 kids that are very close in age, I have always tried to give equally and evenly to avoid conflict. But even now with my oldest being 18 and the two younger being 16, there are still those moments where I am accused of giving one more than the rest. Wether it is a bigger cookie or more money, this wanting more seems to rear its ugly head, leaving me feeling like a bad mom and them feeling like they were somehow cheated. But isn't it in our nature to want more. We are always striving for a better job, shinier car, bigger house, ect., ect. So when God says that He wants us to have lives of abundance, that He wants to "perissos" our lives what does that actually mean?

Abundance

When we read the book of Job, abundance is the last thing that we think about. We usually are so focused on everything that Job looses, how much he suffers and everything that is taken away from him that when he gets it all back and more, we are almost left feeling like "Good! He should have gotten everything back and more after all the suffering he went through." forgetting that God didn't have to give anything back to Job. Job probably would have continued on with his life and even continued to serve God faithfully. But in Job 42:12-16 the Bible tells us that God blessed Job even more then he had originally had in the beginning. But we still haven't answered the question why? Why did God give Job back everything and more?

This greek word "perissos" means greater, abundant, exceeding expectation, having more than is necessary, superadded. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us why He came: 'The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. ' Jesus came to give us more! Not more things, more life!

Jesus came to give us more!

Don't you want more life? A life filled with an abundance of what God wants to give you? Are you willing to allow God to add or to SUPERADD the good things to your life? Are you willing to let go and let God subtract the things that are standing in the way of this life that exceeds expectations and has more joy, more trust, more faith, more God then is necessary? God wants to give you so much more. So get ready to make room so God can fill, overflow and SUPERADD to your life.

What's the catch?

Okay, so I admit when I read the opening to the book, I was pretty sure it was too good to be true. If God wanted this life of abundance, this "perissos" life for me then why didn't he just do it already. The truth of it is, I was standing in the way of God being able to give me this SUPERADDED life that He so desperately wanted to give me. I wanted this life of abundance that God was promising, but I wasn't willing to move so He could work in me. Are you willing to move out of the way so God can work in your life? I promise you this journey is not easy! If you are comfortable in your life, get ready to be uncomfortable. Get ready for the the subtractions that come along so that God can add, so He can SUPERADD the good things, the amazing things, things you have never known that you wanted or needed. There will be tears along the way, and this journey will cause you to really look at your heart and you may find things that you really don't like. You may find things that you have buried so deep that you thought you would never have to face them again. But for every buried hurt or pain, that is space that God wants to replace with abundance.

Don't be afraid to ask God to give you a SUPERADDED life. Won't you join me on this journey?

Let's Pray:

Father God, we so desperately want the abundant life that you have in store for us. God help us to get out of your way, so you can work in us. Help us to come to you boldly, without fear, and be willing to face the darkness and welcome the light that you bring. God, give us the courage to ask you for more, to reach for more, be prepared for more, and to have the courage to subtract everything that is less. If the moments when the subtractions seem to difficult remind us to rest in you and your goodness. We love you Father, and we give you all praise. Through your son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

If you would like to read this book along with me, it is available on Amazon by clicking on the picture of the book.

Watch this amazing video of Hosanna Wong's spoken word: