Good News For Us

January 27th, 2010

 

 The thing I miss most about having money is giving it away. The whole “blessed to be a blessing” concept is definitely God’s plan for His children. He packs it with fun and deep joy. It has always provided me a great opportunity for teaching my children in a real life way what Jesus meant when He said -

 

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’ Matthew 25:40

 

Now that the money is gone, I asked my God, “Am I still blessed to be a blessing?”  Yes!  He said to me. You are simply in a different place - one that, for you, My daughter, is so much more difficult, but no less blessed.

 

 

And when I pondered this Word of God, I understood. For I am no longer just reading about the depth of my heavenly Father’s provision. I am experiencing it day to day, hour by hour. I am not simply learning about robed lilies of the field and the fed sparrows of the air, I am the lily. I am the sparrow. I am the “least of these”.

 

“Father, You clothe me and feed me. But haven’t You always done that?”

 

Of course I have, but when you were comfortably secure, with a steady income, money in the bank and safety nets beyond, you only realized this truth in a cerebral way. Now you truly know that I give you every bite of food you eat, every article of clothing you put on and every dollar in your pocket - you know it is directly from Me. You know it in your gut to the marrow in your bones. It is engraved upon your heart and resonates in your soul. That is why, My child, you can now and forever say, no matter what, “All is well with my soul.” You can truly say, “My God lives and He loves me so.” That is My blessing to you. Now go and be a blessing.

 

God gives me the opportunity to bless my children and others with the truth and living proof of His generous provision. I am fifty-one years old and I get to look at a bowl of soup in a whole new way. My youngest children are nine and ten years old. I want them to see the gift in a way I missed it for so many years. We, as parents, always look for ways to give our children the things we did not have, and this is it - not more things, but a deeper knowledge of God. Daniel and Maya get it - and some forty years before Mama did!  That is a blessing indeed!

 

So how do I teach my children about God in these troubled times? The same way Jesus taught. I use modern parables. Jesus used the familiar things already learned, to teach new and deeper truths. You and I can do this today.

 

My kids know all about football, so I used football terms to teach them about God. When a woman gave me money to help pay our rent, I did not hide it from my children. I said to Daniel, ”You know how your football coach draws all those x’s and o’s to give you the direction you need to make it to the goal? Well, God does that too. I used to play quarterback. Now I am a wide receiver (pun intended - ouch!).” I told my children that God lets us play different positions in our lives, but not one less blessed than another. God is always there to guide us. He is always there, meeting us wherever we are, providing the way to blessing and victory. Everyone is needed on the team. It is blessed to give and blessed to receive. It is all in God’s plan in God’s time.

 

God gives me the opportunity to bless others by allowing them a way to serve Him. If I do not accept the charity of others when I am truly in need, I am not only shutting myself off from God’s provision, but I become a roadblock in a faithful servant’s path. And, of course, God gives me a host of ways to serve Him and His children, none of which cost a nickel. God gives to me the joy of giving of myself, my time and the talents He has given me.

 

Maybe, like me, you have changed positions in God’s kingdom. Maybe, like me, you can find this new place stressful, uncomfortable and a little too character-building for your liking. That’s okay. God totally understands that. He is just more interested in your character than your happiness. After all, character takes us far beyond happiness, to true joy. A godly character leads to the abundant life Jesus spoke of when He said -

 

… I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

 

In this world, abundance equals financial wealth. In this world wealth equals power. But praise be to Jesus, He told us long ago that as His followers, we may be in this world, but we are certainly not of it. Jesus came and revealed the world’s “wisdom” to be but foolish games - permission granted not to play!

 

God exalts the poor and humble and gives them places of honor and power, not only in the world to come, but in His kingdom on earth. It matters not what the world deems significant - God performs mighty works, in me and through me, in my lowliest earthly state. In fact, when I truly know it’s not about me, I am so much more ready to be all about Him! And there is no god like my God!

 

Who else, but God, can find a way to give me an abundant life no matter what my circumstances? Who else, but God, can take a difficult situation and turn it into a beautiful blessing for me, my children and my brothers and sisters in Christ? Who else, but God, can show me,  in my poverty, the joy of His provision?

 

Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; no deeds can compare with Yours.

For You are great and do marvelous deeds; You alone are God. Psalm 86:8,10

 

 Music video ~ Blessed Be the Name of the Lord ~ Robin Mark

 

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