Missing God's Blessing

The other day I was blessed with something I needed. When I was first approached by this person saying they’d give me the item, I wanted to say no. Why? Because I didn’t like where or who it was coming from. I had imagined it coming about a different way. I finally told myself as I griped about it, “Shut up Rena!” Seriously, God is answering a need and all I can do is complain because I don’t like the sender. How ungrateful could I be at that moment? I had to apologize to the Lord for my attitude and thoughts.

I strongly suspect I’m not the only one this has happened to or had this mindset. However, I am not to deem whether the giver of a blessing is worthy, righteous, or holy enough to bless me. My job is only to receive. Contrastingly the very moment I puff my chest out and see myself as a “worthy” instrument to bless others, is the same moment I become unusable for God. Romans 3:10 says “As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;” I alone am never righteous or worthy. I am righteous and worthy through and because of Jesus.

I have known those Christians that puff their chest out and boast about their godliness. It is so unattractive. It makes me want to run for the door. There’s not enough room for their head and my body in the same room. Even though that’s an obvious way not to be, I have to catch myself and the attitude I carry when I bless people. Do I emphasize or over emphasize my position in contrast to theirs. Do I make them feel like I’m doing them a favor by helping and if it wasn’t for me…? Do I strip them of their dignity to give them the blessing?

I have been to many food banks in the last 3 years. Most people do not want to have to use food banks yet, it is a source of provision for when you need it. There are some places that make you feel like you are a nobody. You feel it in the way it’s organized, the attitude of it’s workers and the very change in the atmosphere as you enter the building. There are some that are even Christian run that even embody this feeling. They treat you as a popper and they are kings pushing crumbs from their table. I have had to wait outside in the cold because you’re not welcome to wait in the church sanctuary. It’s as if some of the “world” on you will dirty up their building. The funny thing about that is they are assuming my story, background, and spirituality. They didn’t know and never asked if I was a believer or not. And if you are going to take a position that the people you’re serving are unbelievers shouldn’t you actively be trying to show the love of God? The heart of God is love. The heart of God is to uplift and not tear down. The heart of God is that we treat everyone as valuable and precious because that is exactly what we are to Him.

The story of the prodigal son in Luke 15 is very fitting here. It is a direct picture of God and us. The father ran after the prodigal son as soon as he saw him. He didn't first ask for a run down of his sins and how he squandered all he was given. Instead he rolled out the red carpet for him, killed the fatted calf, and threw a party. Remember before the son returned, he was contemplating eating the slop with the pigs. He had reached his lowest point. The father made a point of restoring his son’s dignity. He changed his clothes and restored his seat at the table, not a chair in the kitchen.When we bless people, we should guard their dignity. No one is ever shamed into the kingdom.

God is actively working on me concerning all this. He is challenging me to never turn my nose up to His blessings because of the source. Again, my position is to have my hands open to receive and an attitude of gratitude. I also bear equal responsibility when I am the “blesser”. God does not want me to use blessings as a way to make people feel like garbage, beat them down, and make them feel worse than before our encounter. I am to maintain people’s dignity. I guard their dignity because God always guards mine. I also realize I could easily end up in their shoes if life turned another way for me.

This all is especially important to keep in mind as we approach Christmas. During this season is when charity and giving is heavily emphasized. I also personally have seen an increase in homeless begging on the sides of roads. We need to watch the manner in how we give to the homeless. What I try to do time permitting, is to ask their name and if there's something I can pray about for them. It is giving them dignity. You're not just a body on the side of the road. You have a name, needs, and a story. Multiple times I've seen tears well up. I'm guessing it's not the norm for them. But as believers, our standard is to be higher.

We are all God’s creation. When I was underserving of saving, God saved me. When I was a prodigal, God went after me. The blessing that God may have me give may represent God coming after them. Restoring the prodigal. I want to draw them to God and not away.