In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

“…And you shall be a blessing [a source of great good to others]” Genesis 12:2c AMP

One of my favorite past times is reading. Books have always been my means of escape… as a child when I could not physically remove myself from unfavorable situations, was in need of a challenge I’d pick up a book. As a teen, I read to learn about the things my immediate environment wasn’t versed in, or things I just wanted to know and found interesting. As an adult, typically I read for enjoyment, if I learn something (almost always do) great but it’s really all about the experience/exchange (take away).

The escape

Working as a traveling nurse presents some obstacles, (well this assignment does anyway) because when working at a maximum security prison books, electronic devices, and anything current in print is considered contraband. I cannot tell you how many times throughout the day I long for mental respite and reprieve (the constant testosterone flex and flare up can be overwhelming). So needless to say, a significant amount of what would be used for reading time has become pondering and praying on my feet time. Beneficial, but challenging as well because grace does not allow us to escape into fantasy or alternate realities, it grants us the opportunity to seek God for how we’re to navigate unfavorable situations and upcoming challenges. Grace illuminates the opportunity before us and instructs us for the occasion. Being graced for this deepens in understanding when the experience of grace becomes the exchange of grace. Challenge accepted!

Contrary to the basic understanding and use of prayer (to escape problems, perplexities and pressure) the grace granted and realized helps us become accountable to the Word and in our works. It provokes, or prompts responsibility…doing our part…establishes collaboration…we come to realize that we work in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. Has the Word every challenged and caused you to consider the role you’re to live and love out? Have you ever sought God’s direction concerning His purpose for your being? Do you ponder or pray about the contingency of God’s promise and purpose for your being? Is God’s promise contingent on our fulfilling His purpose? If so, which part are you most celebratory over the blessing (what you get) or being a blessing (what you give)?

The exchange

For those of us adorned in grace, the focal point of our effort, endeavor and energy should be in the being…and you shall be a blessing. Why are we favored, fortunate and prospered by God? To be a blessing, right??? “And you shall be a blessing, I will make you a blessing, men and women shall be blessed” is a continual pattern of exchange between God and humanity. In it is a guarantee that God will always give us what we need, is the origin of our blessings. There is also a charge, a contingency found within this theme…an agreement, actualization or assignment in a to whom much is given much is required Luke 12:48 understanding. Challenge accepted!

Because God is God, and his heart is to bless us we don’t have to worry or concern ourselves with the if or when He’ll do what He said (at the appointed time it will happen, rest in that). His intent cannot be manipulated by our works, good behavior or desire so that is not how we’ll think or use contingency going forward. Rather, incidental to or dependent on the degree of blessing we receive we bless others.

It’s a heart posture not a definitive occurrence. Because I am so blessed, favored, honored by God my heart is to bless others. Strange discussion for a culture consumed with thoughts and desires of how they’re benefited, right? It’s amazing how exuberant our praise is when we hear or read blessing. Where is the excitement of reciprocity? As unto the Lord I give, I do, I am exhilaration? How much thought or enjoyment is found in the contingency of active faith?

As believers are we opportunist, taking advantage of the experience of grace without reciprocating the responsibility of grace? How does our life, love, gifts, expertise, conversation benefit others? (Eph. 4:29,Gal. 6:10). My point is grace does not absolve us from being responsible, accountable and an active participant in the process of life and love. Fulfillment, living and loving in a manner that honors and pleases God doesn’t happen by osmosis because God said it. Fulfillment, enjoyment is the derivative of the right heart posture towards God, yourself and others. It is the continuum of grace that highlights what is needed, will be beneficial, is helpful to the specificities of another. It’s not general or a blanket approach, transference of what we’ve always done…it’s an extension of the grace given for this moment. The contingency of purpose is the exchange of grace for the current challenge.

So if my and your heart posture is to be (in God’s stead) a blessing the focus of our prayer shifts from receiving to dispensing. Time with God permits us to live and love in the overflow. We have an abundance of shareable goodness, grace and like God intention to dispense. God gives us the knowledge, understanding, His heart to love. God’s perspective is the standard of life and love. He establishes the how to, that is why it’s imperative to READ, ponder and pray his precepts. His WORD dispels fear of living and loving depleted, deficient and defeated. It helps us to be mindful of the occasion and opportunity to be a blessing (Gal.6:10), it instructs us concerning our calling to be a blessing 1 Pet.3:9 We are graced for this very opportunity, this occasion to be a blessing~AntTBri