The Assignment

I remember a pastor talking about how often people will tell him that they feel so blessed. They’ll say things like, “I don’t know what I did to deserve this life – even to have been born in this country – what a blessing! Why is it that I have so much and others so little?” And he said I say to them, “Well, you’ve been given an assignment. You’ve been given a mission to use what you have to bless others….”

I think we all have those moments that cause us to pause and reflect on our lives – and the way in which all along the journey our faith both blesses and summons. It calls out the better side of our humanity. And it raises the question: how are the blessings I have received being passed through me? How are the ripples from my life impacting the people around me… my family… my neighbors… my church? What am I leaving behind in my wake?

All the way back in the book of Genesis, God says to Abraham, “I have blessed you. And through you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” You and I stand in this great tradition.

Let us pray: Loving God, meet us today at the deepest point of our need. We ask for your healing, your mercy, your patience, and your peace. And even as we are being healed, may we in turn find ways to respond by blessing others. We remember today that it is indeed in giving we receive. In Christ’s name. Amen.