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13 September 2008
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything - enough to give to every good work.
The great British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was renowned for his poetry and literary criticism. It has said he could have been greater. He left Cambridge University and joined the Army, but left because he could not rub down a horse. He then went to Oxford but failed to gain his degree. Common opinion was that he lost himself in visions of work to be done, but never completed. His own critics say that he had many poetic gifts, but lacked the gift of sustained and concentrated effort.
In the early days of my faith in God, there were lots of things bouncing around in my mind; they rarely left my mind to become reality. One day Tom, a very close friend and sound Christian, shared this scripture with me. As we discussed it he said that I should try and focus upon what God want to do with me and how he would use me.
For me the context of this scripture is about applying the gifts God has given me in a focussed manner, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit at every stage. Giving to God is not solely about money, although we should tithe and support the mission of God. No, it's more about our attitude of service.
If we are to truly serve God, we must give up all claims to our freedom to choose our path in life. Moreover we should seek God as to where he wants to use us. In doing so we find our true freedom is given to us with God's full backing and blessing. One of my favourite saints is St Francis of Assisi. I have fond memories of standing in the prison chapel singing that wonderful hymn 'Make me a channel of your peace'. The key verse for me is:
"O Master grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul!"
The freedom that Christ gives us needs to be cultivated and fed. We are often challenged as Christians to behave the opposite that society expects. But when we go against the grain for the right reasons, we often find that this is when the Grace of God abounds in our lives.
Ask God to help you be focussed so that you can achieve your best for him.
O Lord, help me to receive your Grace, that in doing so I may be a worthy advocate for leading others to your Kingdom. In the busyness of life guide me in your pathway, so that I can make the choices that ensure I live my life to the full as you have planned. Amen.
Written by Paul Fitzpatrick
Paul is Head of Fundraising for Church Army and is leading the latest campaign Life to Full. ________________________________
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God can give you more blessings than you need. Then you will always have plenty of everything - enough to give to every good work.
The great British poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) was renowned for his poetry and literary criticism. It has said he could have been greater. He left Cambridge University and joined the Army, but left because he could not rub down a horse. He then went to Oxford but failed to gain his degree. Common opinion was that he lost himself in visions of work to be done, but never completed. His own critics say that he had many poetic gifts, but lacked the gift of sustained and concentrated effort.
In the early days of my faith in God, there were lots of things bouncing around in my mind; they rarely left my mind to become reality. One day Tom, a very close friend and sound Christian, shared this scripture with me. As we discussed it he said that I should try and focus upon what God want to do with me and how he would use me.
For me the context of this scripture is about applying the gifts God has given me in a focussed manner, seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit at every stage. Giving to God is not solely about money, although we should tithe and support the mission of God. No, it's more about our attitude of service.
If we are to truly serve God, we must give up all claims to our freedom to choose our path in life. Moreover we should seek God as to where he wants to use us. In doing so we find our true freedom is given to us with God's full backing and blessing. One of my favourite saints is St Francis of Assisi. I have fond memories of standing in the prison chapel singing that wonderful hymn 'Make me a channel of your peace'. The key verse for me is:
"O Master grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved, as to love with all my soul!"
The freedom that Christ gives us needs to be cultivated and fed. We are often challenged as Christians to behave the opposite that society expects. But when we go against the grain for the right reasons, we often find that this is when the Grace of God abounds in our lives.
Ask God to help you be focussed so that you can achieve your best for him.
O Lord, help me to receive your Grace, that in doing so I may be a worthy advocate for leading others to your Kingdom. In the busyness of life guide me in your pathway, so that I can make the choices that ensure I live my life to the full as you have planned. Amen.
Written by Paul Fitzpatrick
Paul is Head of Fundraising for Church Army and is leading the latest campaign Life to Full. ________________________________
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
