Blessed to be a blessing

Dr. Jim Denison, in his Oct. 15, 2020, Daily Article, shared something a colleague told him several years ago. His friend had a unique perspective on the United States because he was not from our country. He was a pastor from Cuba. During dinner one night he offered this surprising observation, “I know why God has blessed America… God has blessed America so America’s Christians can bless the world.”

Was the Cuban pastor correct? Does God bless us so we can in turn be a blessing to others? I think so. Consider this basic rule of leadership; good leaders get those they lead to do what needs to be done without complaining, however, great leaders inspire others to reach their own individual potential as they achieve the organization’s goals.

One of many fascinating parts of Jesus’ narrative found in the first four books of the New Testament, is how he called 12 remarkably average people and used them to revolutionize the world. Perhaps the most remarkable thing about them was the fact that not one of them was remarkable. However, after they were around Jesus for three and one-half years, they became significantly more than any of them would have dared to dream.

These 12 “Ordinary Joe’s” were blessed to hear all of Christ’s fascinating sermons. They were amazed as they saw Jesus perform miracle after incredible miracle and astonished when he healed sick person after sick person. They were stunned when Jesus challenged his day’s self-righteous spiritual leaders and consistently showed compassion to the common folk, those the religious elites detested.

I doubt the 12 recognized what was happening to them at the time, but little by little, these regular guys were transformed into strong leaders. Because of what they were privileged to experience firsthand, they became the extraordinary apostles used by God to change the world.

They were blessed so they could be a blessing which is what Jesus wants to happen to us as well. He made that very point saying, “When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke 12:48, NLT)

According to Jesus, we are not merely blessed to enjoy God’s blessings, we are blessed so we can in turn bless others. What kind of life does he want you and me to live? Clearly, Jesus expects us to use what he has invested in us to passionately serve him and others.