It's in you to give

From time-to-time I get a call from Canadian Blood Services (CBS). They ask me to make a donation. Like countless other Canadians, I respond positively whenever I can. Their advertising acts as a powerful prompt for me. Their tag line: “it’s in you to give,” goes through my mind. It reminds me that the blood that courses through my body is not only for my benefit. I can safely donate blood that can be used for the benefit of others. The donated blood is used for the treatment of leukemia, heart surgery and emergency surgeries. It is also used for transfusions. People often suffer from anemia, low red blood cell levels due to internal bleeding. I have seen patients suffering from anemia receive a blood transfusion and have watched them transform before me. Confusion and weakness are replaced by clear thinking and strength. What a difference that bag of blood can make. The cost to me? A little intentional time set aside for the actual donation. To the person whose life is enriched, bettered and even saved? “Priceless!”

CBS’s tagline reminded me that I also have something else in me that I can donate to help others. It courses around my heart, soul and mind: it is my trust and faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Faith in God can be donated in many ways, however, every donor has to be a recipient first. For me, it began with my parents. They were my first faith donors. They knew that I was spiritually anemic, I needed transfusions to bring my spiritual red blood count up to normal levels. So they taught my siblings and I about God the Father who created me, Jesus, God’s one and only Son, who saved me and God the Holy Spirit who builds my faith leads me through life. They sent us to Sunday School and Confirmation and took us to church.

As an adult I found that the grind of daily life would knock my spiritual red blood count way down and I would become spiritually anemic. When I was spiritually anemic it was easier for me to get confused and to say and do the wrong thing. I would get emotionally weaker and was more likely to give in to temptation. However, I knew where I could get a spiritual transfusion.   I got a weekly transfusion at worship on Sunday mornings. The Gospel of Jesus Christ I heard preached and Holy Communion I received both transfused and transformed me. Daily Bible readings, devotions and Bible Study inspired me and gave me insights for each day. Prayer, both personal and corporate, strengthened me. Transfusions of God’s word, sacrament and prayer gave me the strength to make it through and even more.

The spiritual strength I received from transfusions of word and sacrament permitted me, from time to time, to recognize those who could use a spiritual transfusion. I have met them all over the place. On buses, airplanes, at restaurants, offices, gas stations, tourist attractions, shopping malls, medical offices, and hospital rooms. They confessed that they were spiritually anemic, in need of a transformation. They struggled with their sin, the fear of death and the power of evil in the lives. They were confused, weakened and vulnerable to their lusts and vices. By God’s grace I was able to administer a dose of the Gospel of Jesus   Christ. The Good News that Jesus Christ made a donation for them. Jesus suffered and shed his blood on the cross, for them and for their salvation. Jesus had paid for their sin. Jesus promised that all who believe in him will have everlasting life. Many changed there and then, their strength and lucidity was restored. Some experienced a new beginning. For some, this transfusion came very close to the day that they passed from this world to the next. I came to see that every time I believed I was giving a spiritual donation to another, God used this opportunity to give me a spiritual transfusion!

God puts faith in us to give. My prayer is that in the coming week that god will show you someone who needs a transfusion of faith and gives you the grace to give what’s already in you to give.

An Invitation from CLBI

Children’s Ministry Training (a ministry of CLBI)

May 13 - Kid's Ministry 101
May 20 - Bible Studies with Children
May 27 - Activities with Children
June 3 - Worship with Children
June 10 - Developing a Kid's Ministry Team
June 17 - Promo - Ministry to Families- Follow-up

www.clbi.edu/childrensministry

Sixth Sunday of Easter

An Invitation from CLBI