In the Very Pouring Out

One of my pastor friends has a pretty powerful call story. There was a time late in his college life when he struggled profoundly with the meaninglessness of life. It got to the point that he began to despair of life itself. He was not a Christian at this time.

Then one Sunday morning, somehow, someway, God led him to get out of bed and drag himself into a church. But what is really significant, is that when God touched his heart again, it was not at a point in the service where he felt like he was being fed – but where he felt like he was being challenged. It actually happened during the singing of an old African American Spiritual – the choir and the congregation were all singing – I’m gonna live so God can use me – anywhere Lord, anytime… I’m gonna live so God can use me…

It was not that God was just saying, Ok son, I’m going to heal you. I’m going to make you whole. I’m going to provide for you or protect you. No. No. There was far more. God spoke to his heart and said,  I’m calling you to give your life away – to pour out your life for others… And in that very act of pouring out, you are going to find deep meaning and hope.

It’s a little bit counterintuitive, isn’t it? But my friend will tell you that he has found, as many others have, that it is true. In giving we receive.

Maybe that’s what Jesus meant when he said, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it..” (Matthew 16:25)

Let us pray: God of Hope, meet us again this day at the deepest point of our need. Fill us with your Spirit and empower us to pour our lives out for others in need. And as we do, may we find your healing grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.