A Reading
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
(2 Corinthians 9: 7-8)
A Thought
The theme of our discussion at church last weekend was grace.
God’s grace is our undeserved forgiveness and eternal life, which is freely available to all who have faith in Jesus Christ. God’s grace is abundant. There is no end to the goodness, mercy, love, healing and forgiveness which enriches our lives and unites us together in his family. Not everyone will choose to receive such grace, but Jesus calls upon those who do accept such grace to share the message of grace widely amongst others.
Shortly after the service I watched Green Planet and heard David Attenborough describe the behaviour of the Euphrates poplar tree, some of which grow in the Takla Makan desert in north-west China. There is little rain here, but the tree has long roots to delve for water sources.
More astonishingly, the roots are connected to neighbouring trees, so that when one tree finds water it shares it with others.
If a tree can share its precious resource with other trees, surely it ought not be difficult for us to share our precious resource, God’s grace, with other people. Particularly since our precious resource is freely and continually available to us.
A prayer
Please help me to find my calling in your kingdom,
where your grace is waiting to freely operate through me
and to touch the lives of others.
In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Amen