April 1, 2023
It's been a whirlwind past few months! We haven't fellowshipped since the holidays! My apologies, so many things called me away. But I've learned an important lesson about community, service to others, and my sense of contribution during my unscheduled travels. As I moved around numerous cities for my other companies I found myself incorporating my community service where I hoped was needed. I found myself questioning the level of my commitment to our followers (you), my community, and the heavy hearts I prayed God would lift as I met along the way. Thoughts I'd like to share with you.
For me service to others and my community are of extreme importance in my daily life, and the life I hope to share someday in heaven. But I recently discovered I was internally (but subconsciously) measuring my levels of service. With all my giving I strangely found myself wondering if all I offered or completed was enough. "Did I not give enough money?, should I devote more hours? Should my lecture be longer? More inspiring? I couldn't rationalize in my mind whether I was a perfectionist or practicing self-sabotage. Had I forgotten my own mantra "Go big or go home" in everything I do. The odd part of my story is that I made this revelation in the midst of service.
I'd forgotten service is an extension of my faith, and a symbol of God's grace, blessing and mercy for His children. It's not an opportunity to measure our wealth, inflate our egos, or flaunt our benevolence. It's a time to be still, be sincere, be humble and with gratitude let God bless our service.
And if we not question our own service to others, but through the eyes of Christ we will see a small light flow across a troubled face, a faint "thank you God" which moves our faithful hearts. That's the true blessing for me. A troubled heart finding God through a blessing. It's wonderful. So I've learned that no matter what service we give in God's name, if it's from the heart, and blessed through Spirit its big! So no matter what your offering in His name, you're already there...GO BIG!
The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
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