These are very challenging economic times and for many this is a time of much pain and fear. Many of you know all too well how very frightening it is to lose a job or a home or a pension.
Yet in the midst of these challenging times I believe we can also discover some valuable gifts. I believe that God is not only present with us, but that God wants to lead us and teach us and even give us some unexpected blessings.
Recently at Calvary Lutheran we have been talking about being ‘Open to Blessing ? God’s Unexpected Gifts? that come to us or that God reveals to us especially in times of hardship such as these. These gifts are probably always present but at certain times we become more aware of them or open to them.
I know I am looking at things differently now and rearranging my priorities around what really matters most. I am thinking a lot more these days about how I spend my time and my money, and ultimately my life. As a person of faith I believe God in his grace and love wills to use this time in our lives, in our churches and in our nation to grow us in some powerful and life-changing ways that will help us into the future as well as see us through today.
Though there are certainly others, we have been focusing on four of these ‘unexpected gifts? ? community, simplicity, helping others and generosity.
The gift of community means that we do not need to go it alone. Yet all too often when times are tough we think that it is a sign of weakness to ask for help or a failure if we need others.
I often say to those experiencing tough times that there is no ‘extra credit? for going it alone. God has made us for relationships and community and we are at our best when we need others and others need us. I hope we can renew and deepen our sense of community and interdependence during these times. As we often say at Calvary, ‘we are better together!?
The gift of simplicity and contentment arises out of a sense of gratitude for what we have even when life does not turn out the way we plan. I was reminded of this again when we lost power during the recent storms. Playing board games by candlelight with my 12 year old son instead of working on the computer was a simple gift we shared. I am not ready to permanently give up electricity, but I am ready to focus more on the people I care about.
When we have employment, choosing to live below our means, rather than at or above them can mean we have less to worry about and more to give and save. Someone once said that ‘contentment can make poor men rich and discontentment can make rich men poor.? I know we are simplifying and trying to focus more on what matters most.
I hope we also are becoming more aware of the gifts of