A Conversation
This is part of a "conversation" I had with a Cru staff guy from Austin area- I wanted to share it b/c he offers some insightful thoughts-
Kate, good question. I think the abundant life Jesus came to give has to be possible to experience. Otherwise the whole proposition would be some kind of cosmic tease. And you have hit on the reason we don't experienceit, at least in my opinion. That is, we try to find life in other things.
We are wired to want to be accepted and approved of. But we look for those things in people, and that kind of acceptance just doesn't satisfy. In fact, it makes us even thirstier for people's approval. It's salt water. On the other hand, that we are accepted and approved of by God is deeply satisfying. That is the kind of acceptance that becomes in us "a well springing up to eternal life."
So how do we experience this kind of abundant life, this Living Water? I'm sure there are many things to say about that, but I am finding that believing the Gospel is at the root of it all. Specifically, experiencing God's love for us and remembering that we are forgiven of our sin.
Here's an example of applying the gospel to this issue: "God, You are above all and what you think about me is of massive importance. Your love is better than life. But I am broken and shortsighted. I look for the approval of others to satisfy my desire to be accepted by you. It is a false lover and it keeps me from the life you want me to live. I am helpless on my own. It is only because of your great love for me that you gave up Jesus to rescue me from despair, to adopt me as your child, to give me Life.
That is the gospel ... a sinner being reconciled to God in the Person of Jesus Christ. I find that the more I preach this to myself in every area the more I experience the abundant life.
What do you think?

I think that is absolutely true. I think it is easier said than done, but anything that is ever real and deep is hard. It's an inner thing. That makes sense because Christ was focused on the inner sancuary of the heart more than anything else. I suppose this is because we, as humans, have a tremendous capacity to "put on a front." I could be doing the same thing outwardly, but the motives, mindset and purpose behind it all could be as different as midnight compared to the noon sky- So while i agree with you, how can it be applicable to me daily? I could go through each day - taking thoughts captive and realizing He is source of all I am and have "sober judgement" of myself....but is that it? Is that all I need to do to go from a life that is "somewhat satisfied" to "absolutely abundant"? I guess it would be a radical transformation for where i am now- swayed by what this world tells me i should think of myself and should want...