As a progressive Christian, I believe there are many names for God and many ways to a loving God; this article reflects one of those ways. Take from here what works for you. Celebrate life with joy and peace!
Here at The Met, we believe that God has created us to be Fabulous, Unique, Strong, Amazing and Wonderful – and because of that, we have so much to share with others – so much to give to the world.
I’d like to remind you that when we only focus on ego, focus on meeting only our needs and desires, we miss out on a whole new level of God’s joy. As we get our mind off of ourselves, and look up and see the needs around us, we will open ourselves up to the blessings that God wants to pour into your life.
Based on the book, Your Best Life Now by Joel Osteen, I share these points. Learn the joy of being a giver and not just a taker. God created us to be givers and we will never be truly fulfilled until we learn the simple secret of how to give our life away.
One of the best things you can do if you’re having a problem is to help solve somebody else’s problem. If you want your dreams to come to pass, help someone else fulfill her dreams.
A great perspective to keep in mind is that no matter how big your problem is today, somebody else has a bigger problem, a tougher road, a more heart-wrenching story than yours. You can help make a positive difference in somebody’s life. You can help ease somebody’s burden. You can cheer somebody up, and give them fresh, new hope.
If you’re lonely, don’t sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Go help someone else who’s lonely. Go visit them, invite them over; meet for coffee. Invite them to take a walk along the beach or the park. Take them shopping; go to a movie.
If you’re down and discouraged, don’t just focus on your own melancholy needs. Get your mind off yourself and go help meet someone else’s need.
Maybe you’re thinking, sounds great Dan, but I don’t have anything to give to others? Sure you do! You can give a smile. You can give a hug. You can give an encouraging word. You can cook a dinner for someone. You can be a volunteer in any number of organizations.
Somebody needs what you have to share. Somebody needs your smile. Somebody needs your love. Somebody needs your friendship. Somebody needs your encouragement. You can make a difference in somebody’s life!
I heard an amazing story about a set of twins who were just a few days old. One of them had been born with a serious heart condition and wasn’t expected to live. A few days went by and one baby’s health continued to deteriorate; she was close to death. A hospital nurse asked if she could go against hospital policy and put the babies in the same incubator, together, rather than in individual incubators. It was a big ordeal, but finally the administration and doctor consented to allow the twins to be placed side by side in the same incubator, just as they had been in their mother’s womb.
Somehow, the healthy baby managed to reach over and put her arm around her little sick sister. Before long, and for no apparent reason, her heart began to stabilize and heal. Her blood pressure came up to normal. Her temperature soon followed suit. Little by little she got better and today they are both perfectly healthy children.
A newspaper heard of the story and photographed the twins while still in the incubator, embraced in a hug. They ran the photo with the caption, “The Rescuing Hug.”
Somebody needs your hug today. Somebody needs your love. Somebody needs to feel your touch. You may not realize it, but there is healing in your hands. There is healing in your voice. There is healing in your words and actions.
You have so much to give, so much to offer. When you center your life only around yourself, not only do you miss out on God’s Best life for you, you rob others of the joy and blessings that God wants to give them through you!
Something supernatural happens when we get our eyes off ourselves and turn them to the needs of those around us. We read in Isaiah 58 that “when you feed the hungry, when you clothe the naked, when you encourage the oppressed, then your life is going to break forth like the dawn. Then your healing is going to quickly come.”
In other words, when you reach out to hurting people, that’s when God is going to make sure your needs are supplied. When you focus on being a blessing, God makes sure that you are blessed too.
Let’s get practical. You’ve probably seen some items lying around your house. Clothes you haven’t worn in years, cooking utensils still packed in boxes from your last move, books, dishes, and the list goes on and on. Most clutter experts say, “If you haven’t used an item within the past year, give it away!”
Our world, and our community, is desperate to experience the love and compassion of God. More than any other human attribute, I believe our world is crying out for people with compassion, people who love unconditionally, people who will take some time to help others. Let love lead you through life.
Giving is a spiritual principle. Jesus said, “If you even give as much as a cup of water to somebody in need, I see it and I’m going to reward you.” Amen.
