September 1, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 9:8, The Funny Shape of Faith

“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“It’s easy to believe the age of miracles is in the past. But even though we may not be pelted with manna, God does send a downpour of blessings to us. These abundant blessings aren’t meant to stop with us. What God gives freely to us-time, talents, money, bread, etc.-we are called to pass on to others. We share abundantly because God first shared abundantly with us.” (Laurie Hanson. The Funny Shape of Faith: Devotions for the Rest of Us (Kindle Locations 239-242). Kindle Edition.)

Will Miracles Ever….Begin?

It is so easy to delude ourselves that we live in an age of no miracles. We go from event to event each day never giving G-d the credit when we see something amazing or even completely mundane happen in front of us. A near miss accident – an unintentional encounter with a long lost friend – all of the ways I believe G-d interacts in our lives.

I believe there are no coincidences in live. I believe we do not move about in this world from random event to random event. But I also believe that G-d never promised us a rose garden. G-d never told us all would be roses and sunshine in this life. Life is meant to be lived and as such we will encounter the good and the bad every day.

Now, does that mean we will not lose faith from time to time? Does that mean we will not occasionally cry to G-d “What are you doing up there?” Again I give you a resounding no. But each day I try my best to remember that G-d is good all the time, and all the time G-d is good.  

Let us pray,

God of surprises, help me neither hide from nor ignore your presence. Instead help me to live into your love and your presence every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave