Give Freely

 

 Give Freely

Can a woman forget her nursing child, or lack compassion for the child of her womb? Even if these forget yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.” Isaiah 49:15-16

God knows every single detail of our lives. We are never once forgotten or abandoned. Have you thought about how your name is inscribed on the hand of God? Picture it. 

He can take what we have and give freely to others. His compassion can be shared with the world around us. 

Like that lady that served our team tater tots and hot chocolate when they were on a job sight on our recent mission trip. The job was painting a trailer for a family that had lost everything. And the neighbor offered the team a bathroom, tater tots, and hot chocolate as they worked. She didn’t have much but what she had she offered freely to them. She took what she had and was ready and willing to share.

Why would someone be willing to give to strangers? The better question is why wouldn’t I share what has been freely given to me?

Jesus came offering something to people that didn’t make sense. The unlikely combination made people question him all the time. Could it be that easy? They always looked to add things to it but what he offered couldn’t be added to. Free Grace. Meeting people in the middle of their messes and stepping out to move towards them. Seeing how a community came together to be the Hands and Feet of Jesus was seeing how the faithfulness of God looked. Offering themselves in ways that would meet the physical need to share the greatest need could be met in a relationship with Jesus. Just like Jesus did. 

“Look up and see! Who created these? He brings out the stars by number; he calls all of them by name. Because of his great power and strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

I love when I can look to Creation and remember. Looking to the stars and knowing that God has named each of them. Perfectly placed in the sky exactly where He decided to place them. Like us. Like that lady who gave freely. It is a foreign thing in this world when we share the love of Jesus. It does look crazy and doesn’t make sense to those that don’t know. But it is the exact order in order for others to experience the free life they were designed to live. 

So why do I hold back? Why don’t I step out the door each day and ask myself where are you calling me to share freely?

These questions have played over in my mind since returning back. I think a big reason is because I forget that Jesus freely gave no matter what. No matter what people thought about him he followed His Father’s direction. He was unpopular because he chose to follow that path. Jesus never met a stranger. He met people where they were and he met physical needs but even more he always shared the bigger gift he had. He shared himself with people who didn’t deserve it even unto his death on a cross. So I could give freely to others that same love that was given to me. So I could share the greatest love with the world. 

So why would I hold back? Ask Him.

Jesus,

You displayed your love to us through the cross. What we could never repay was given to us freely. All we have to do is accept that gift. We can’t save ourselves. You are the only way to the Father. But living for you Jesus we too can step out and offer strangers what we have. Don’t let us hold back. Help us to remember to look up and see Creation and remember that we bear your name Jesus. Perfectly placed where you have us to glorify you in all we say and do. So help us remember to step out and allow you to love others. More of you and less of me to give freely so that others can know the love of God.

Amen