I anticipate Sunday mornings and expect an infusion of hope, direction, peace, joy, and even correction. And so, I look for those things and set myself in a posture of faith for God to impact me. It’s an opportunity to surrender in worship of God, and to encourage others and be encouraged as well by fellow Christians.
This morning the pastor’s words were a catalyst for some deep thought on our character flaws–do we recognize them? Do we lay ourselves before our LORD and ask for help? Or do we continue to allow them to direct our behaviors and decisions? I recognized one of mine immediately, though time in prayer alone with God will expand on the depths of why and how to continue to learn to choose God’s way rather than my bent. Fear might not be termed a “character flaw,” but it definitely contributes to and even directs behaviors and decisions. It was one of two words that immediately came to me as the pastor’s message implored us to consider what negatively motivates us.
Periodically, (and it happened to be this morning) our church collects money for what is termed a “love offering,” and uses it to bless people in specific and unique ways. The parameters are that a member of the church knows of someone in need of some financial assistance and shares details of the situation with the leadership who authorizes the use of love offering money to help. The church member personally delivers the monetary gift to the recipient and explains that the gift is being given out of love–no strings attached.
I usually do not carry cash, and never carry checks, so giving to the love offering is not usually on my radar. Today I actually had some cash, and when I do have some I like to hang on to it for the “unexpected” that might pop up. Yet, I believe God was speaking to me to give it all to the love offering. My first response was FEAR, “what if I NEED this cash soon and I don’t have it when I NEED it?” And God answered in the next second, “I will take care of you, just give the money–ALL of it.” And so I did. There was a true freedom in letting the money drop from my hands into the offering box. But, that’s not the end of the story …
Geoff and I were out walking later and found $20 abandoned on the sidewalk. No one else was around and there were no homes or any businesses nearby. At the moment I picked it up I remembered having given the love offering in the morning and God telling me He would take care of me. I told Geoff the story and believed God was reminding me not only of His care for me, but of His sovereignty and the grace He gives for obedience. He delights in our obedience because He knows that in it we experience His goodness and freedom.
We continued on to a little boutique I had often wanted to visit, but hadn't yet had the opportunity. On the way there we saw another shop first and went in. The owner was friendly and pleasant and the clothing she stocked was well-made and unique. I found some items I liked right away and she told us that particular rack was for half the amount of the previously marked down price. I love a good bargain!! As we went to purchase the items she asked if we had been there before. When we said no, she told us she takes another $5 off the total for new customers! Such a deal! I told her about the experience I had earlier in the day with giving to the love offering and then finding the $20 and she lit up when I shared. She genuinely seemed happy to have been a part of further blessing us with good clothing at a great price.
After we visited the other boutique next door, we began our way back to the car, but as we passed the first shop we noticed again the beautiful dress in the window display that had originally caught our eyes and drew us in. We decided to go in again and ask her about it because we realized we never saw the dress in the shop the first time. We were directed to where the dress was on the rack, but were disappointed she didn’t have the dress in my size. She mentioned that she planned on ordering more in and that she had one in the back of the shop with a flaw that was my size and offered to let me try it on just to see if it fit, and then I could come back when the new order arrived. As I put it on, it fit perfectly. I couldn’t find the flaw anywhere and asked her about it. She showed me, but both Geoff and I had a difficult time noticing it. As I returned to the dressing room she and Geoff continued talking and he offered to buy it for me anyway and asked what amount she would accept from us. She told him she had already been fully reimbursed by the manufacturer and she wouldn’t take any money from us for it. SHE GAVE IT TO US FOR FREE! Whaaaaat?
I am not suggesting that all of this happened BECAUSE I obediently gave to the love offering. But, I am also not ruling it out. God is GOOD. God loves us. God provides for us. God blesses us. God rewards those who earnestly seek Him, (Hebrews 11:6) and HE chooses how and when He does so.
I’m also not suggesting this as a formula for how to get stuff…”give and you’ll get”. But, there is this that Jesus said, “Give and it will be given to you; a good measure–pressed down, shaken together, and running over–will be poured into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.” Luke 6:38
I believe in God. I believe He is all we need. I believe He asks us to obey Him and I believe that through our obedience there is good and our own spiritual growth–both coming directly from the hand of God. I am not in a position to declare a set pattern of certain responses to certain actions. Only God is sovereign. However, today I was truly affected by what seemed to be aspects of Luke 6:38 and Hebrews 11:6.
If nothing else, the events of today encourage me to continue to obey what He asks me to do–not because I expect to receive, but simply because He is GOD and is sovereign, and good and is worthy of my obedience.
At the end of our second visit, the owner of the shop stated in response to our thanks for her generosity and kindness, “It’s not all about the money, it’s about the people.”
And, we are God’s people, and He is definitely for us.
