Blessed to Be a Blessing
Good afternoon! Pastor Andrew here once again to share some encouragement on this sunny Tuesday afternoon.
There’s a story in the Old Testament; it’s one of the most well-known stories of the Bible, actually. It’s the story of Abraham. The story of Abraham is one of my favorite stories, because it shows us that God not only is unafraid to work and walk intimately with His children, but He prefers it. God speaks to Abraham, who was struggling to have children with his wife, and tells Abraham to follow God and He will make his descendants as numerous as the stars! God promised to make Abraham into a great nation. God would bless Abraham until He established His lasting Kingdom!
God didn’t choose Abraham on accident, and He didn’t choose him with no purpose. God tells Abraham that He will turn him into a great nation which blesses the nations around it. Millenia and generations later, you and I share in this same call. God has called upon His children, from the beginning, with favor in order to be a blessing to others. In fact, in the LAW of the Old Testament, many of the guidelines God sets in place for His people shape His people in service to others!
My encouragement this afternoon is that though the way we bless others today may look different, it is no less our call as individuals, and especially as a local church. And I want to say well done. It has been hard not to gather like we’ve grown to love for so long. It’s been isolating and challenging, but it has been a blessing to the world around us. Church, you have sacrificed something wonderful and dear to the people of God. Part of what it means to be Christian is to gather! But in humility, you have chosen to sacrifice something important for the vulnerable, for the stranger, and in so doing, you have chosen to sacrifice for Christ. So well done.
It may not feel that way. I love people! I love gathering with people. Most of my ministry and life has been marked by gathering with others for Sunday worship and throughout the week! And I want you to know that your pastors walk with you, we hurt with you, we are frustrated with you, and we are looking forward to the time when it’s safe to gather again.
Lament the loss of the beauty that is to gather, and rejoice in the beauty it is to sacrifice for another.
Hopefully, this is the last you’ll hear from me for a little while – in only a week, my wife and I are expecting our little boy, and I imagine I will be learning new patterns and new rhythms in my life! Thank you for the encouragement, prayers, and love these last few months as we all learn anew each day what it means to be followers of Christ.
With peace,
Pastor Andrew
andrew@commref.org
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