Immediately after healing a man crippled from birth (3:2), Peter spoke to thousands of Jews who gathered around in amazement to see the healed man walking and praising God. Seizing the opportunity in the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter urged his fellow Israelites to change their ways and receive their promised Messiah, Jesus, who had died for them. (3:19-23) He also reminded them of God's promise to Abraham in Genesis:
God's covenant-word to Abraham provides the text: 'By your offspring all the families of the earth will be blessed.' (3:25)
In Genesis 12:2-3, God told Abraham:
I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
God promised to bless Abraham so that he would be a blessing to all the families of the earth. That promise of blessing was fulfilled in Christ, Abraham's pre-eminent descendant. And according to Paul, "since you are Christ's family, then you are Abraham's famous 'descendant,' heirs according to the covenant promises." (Galatians 3:29) In other words, I, too, have been blessed to be a blessing.
This idea, and what it looks like biblically, has been rumbling around in my brain since January when Harry and I began the Perspectives course. I certainly don't have all the answers, but over the past months, my eyes have been focused on this biblical mandate to be a blessing to all the families of the earth.
In many ways, it's been a relief to finally have some clarity on God's purpose for me. I have often wondered why God has given me so much. For many years, I took it all for granted, thinking I had somehow earned it by my responsible actions and wise choices. (As if.) But now I know the truth. It's all God's grace. I don't deserve any of it.
I have been blessed to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.
Peter and the other disciples recognized that truth for themselves in Acts 3, and now it's my turn. As I faithfully walk in this global mandate set forth by God from the beginning, I will look more and more like Christ and be filled with joy and purpose. And simultaneously, God will receive more glory and honor as more people and nations gratefully worship Him. How awesome is that?!??
Harry and I are still praying through how God would have us become more involved in His blessing of the nations. We don't have it figured out yet, but our prayers have only fanned the flames of desire to be more involved in what God's doing in the world, and it's been amazing to see the opportunities God's brought our way already.
Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)So true. Praise God!
1 comment:
Peter's words, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"
These words are life-giving to me. I feel like I'm in situations over and over again where I have nothing to give, where I'm inadequate, inept, inexperienced but what I do have is Jesus. He keeps affirming in me that He is all in all. All that I need for what He's asking me to do, say, and be.
Post a Comment