Blessed to Be a Blessing

This year I decided to read through the Old Testament while I finish studying Philippians. I haven’t spent much time in the Old Testament recently, so it’s been great to read the familiar Bible stories and get new looks into the truths they contain. Right now, I’m in the story of Abraham. What a unique life he had! And what a lot of faith there is in his story. Truly, he got to see God do great things with and through him.

However, what God did for Abraham wasn’t only for Abraham, or even the nation of Israel. God blessed Abraham so that Abraham could be a blessing. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:2-3).”

It makes me think of all the blessings that God has blessed me with, and reminds me that they’re not just for my enjoyment. I have been saved so that I can be a witness. I’ve been given victory so that I can encourage others. I’ve seen God do great things so that I can testify to His power. I’ve been comforted so that I can comfort others. The Christian life is not for me. It is for God and it is for those around me.

We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself (Romans 15:1-3a).

You never know how God can use you. I think that often He doesn’t let us know on this earth so that we can simply serve, leaving any results in His hands. Abraham probably didn’t know that through his line would come a Savior named Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. God would make him a blessing not only to his own descendants, but to all the earth! All He required of Abraham was faith and obedience.

Likewise, we may not always be aware, but God’s purpose for everything in our life is not only that we are strengthened and blessed, but that we be blessings to others. God gives us good gifts so that we can pass them along. He has blessed many of us materially–and there are so many opportunities to use those blessings to help others! He’s blessed all of us who are saved with “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. And He calls us to be His hands and feet, to show His love to those who need it desperately.

I want to go through life with my eyes open, aware of the needs of others, and then taking what God has given me to help meet those needs. I want the Lord to take the things I have been through–the sorrows, the joys, the victories, the defeats–and use them to bless others. And I want never to forget His purpose in blessing me. Not so that I can tightly grasp the blessings, throw out a quick “thanks”, and then go on my merry way. I’ve been blessed so that I can be a blessing!

Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.–Mary E. Maxwell