“I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2
In my life as a pastor, I come across blessings quite often. At the end of each worship service, I give God’s blessing to my congregation. My Hispanic congregants quite often will greet me and others with “bendiciones” – blessings. In many families, when one sneezes, the response is “Bless you!” [Such was not the case in my family. My father knew that one’s soul is not expelled by the force of sneeze, and therefore there was no need for God’s blessing at that point. We got along with German – Gesundheit! – Good health, which really makes more sense.]
This past November my wife and I traveled to the deep South on vacation visiting Arkansas, Mississippi, Florida, and Alabama. As we traveled, I noticed many clerks, waiters, and waitresses that served us would end our interaction with a phrase something like: “Have a Blessed Day.” I’ve heard people use this type of phrase in Iowa, but in the South it was almost omnipresent. Even more surprising for me, though, was when I would ask – “How are you?” And the response would come back – “Oh, I’m blessed!”
As we traveled, I had more than one opportunity to think about what these phrase entail. I’m sure that the person who wishes us a “blessed day” simply was wishing us well – and perhaps was sharing a bit of his or her faith at the same time. And, the folks that told me they were blessed were probably also sharing their faith in God – even though I never did find out anything about their health.
And, before I’m accused of pointing fingers at others, I need to point out that when I wish someone a Happy Birthday on Facebook, I will often follow that up with a statement like – “I hope this is a day filled with blessings for you.”
All of this came to mind when I read again what is one of the best known passages in the Bible. “I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” The message to Abraham – and to each of us in Abraham’s line – is that we are blessed in order to bless others. That is – blessings may be wonderful, but they bring responsibilities with them. Even my Hispanic congregants, who often truly struggle to make ends meet, know that they are blessed compared with their family members back in their country of origin.
But, that leaves all of us with the question – What are we to do with our blessings? And God makes it very clear. We are blessed to be a blessing to others. We are called to share in the same measure that we have received. That is so easy to say, but it is a responsibility that too often we conveniently forget.
During Lent, we are called to examine ourselves, to return to God, to renew our relationship with God. As we go through this journey, let us include whether we are truly living up to the responsibilities that God has given to each of us. Are we sharing with our neighbors – food, clothing, time, attention? Or, are we hoarding God’s blessings for ourselves? Once again, God does not give us wiggle room. Oh how I wish God would do that at times! We are blessed, but only so that we can be a blessing to others. It is a job that never ends. It is the job to which God calls us throughout all of our lives.
Gracious God, we are much more ready to receive your blessings than we are to pass them along to our neighbors. Help us to live up to your calling. Help us to be a blessing exactly as we have been blessed ourselves. We pray in Christ’s name. Amen.
Bill Cotton is recuperating from his hospital stay. In his absence Paul Burrow has written this Memo. Paul is the Senior Pastor of the Perry/Minburn/Rippey/Fairview United Methodist Churches.
