Luke 6:38 states-“Give and it will be given unto you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” I shared with a friend today that there was a time where I thought I was essentially done as a pastor. I threw my arms up towards heaven and said, “if You are finished with me- please let me know.” I had not been asked to preach for a couple of years and any ministry doors seemed thoroughly closed. I did not share my angst or my request with anyone… So, I was quite surprised that within the span of two days I was asked to preach at 5 churches. Two requests for the same day. Needless to say I preached at 4 churches…and later at the 5th. One of those churches- Covenant Congregational Church in Pawtucket, RI asked me to consider preaching there twice per month. I shared the duties with Pastor Cliff Tidd. I count him as a dear friend and mentor. The rest of the story is that I preached there for nearly 10 years. I feel that their church helped me heal and develop as a good preacher and leader. Something I overlooked in the prayer that I prayed 10 years previous was that I would preach even if for nothing… Just to share what God had placed within me to share. I wanted to give my gift…freely. Thankfully, I was paid which helps with a family of five! But, the point was that I wanted to take the initiative… which reflects God’s nature. Somehow it finally sank in! If you remember He loved us first, prepared to forgive us by dying on a cross before we were born! Finally, I wanted to do like-wise and I am not patting myself on the back for this. How long did it take me to see what was right in front of me?! But, the payback has been enormous- beyond what I can ask or imagine in the spiritual realm if not the material one. I often wonder “why will we need treasure in heaven anyway?” There are certainly no taxes, medical bills or pyramid schemes. Our work will be fulfilling and productive. But, in the here and now have we decided to share the gift of who we are? And, to take the risk of becoming who God wants us to be (in Christ)? This blog is being written because I have decided to do just that. To most definitely and hopefully in the best sense of the word…to become a fool for (the cause) of Christ. In a world where most people think, “God is dead.” I am here to affirm that this is patently false. God is alive and “with us.” And, if He is for us- who can stand against us? I am not here to convince you. I am here to remind you that you can become part of His-Story if only you believe. The name of the blog is: part of His-Story. I want you to reflect with me on how you can become part of God’s larger Story. And so- we begin!
The over-arching lesson of the text is that when we give freely of ourselves- we receive… Beyond our wildest dreams. But, our motive cannot be to receive but to share what we were given by God (uniquely given to each of us…we essentially become gifts to one another) the resulting Blessings take on a snowball effect and everyone is blessed!
partofHISstory 