What do you have to give?



"What do I have to give?"
Why do we so often live our lives out of this sense of obligation? I feel like most of us, reading that sentence, would think of the "requirements" to be a good person, or a good Christian, or a good whatever-you-believe. Like, "This is how I was trained/raised/taught, this is what I must do or God/the boogie man/the devil will come and get me."

I know that is a completely unfounded fear, but I get caught up in it the same as the next person.

So while I was praying this morning God began to show me all of the different things it could mean.

"What do I have to give?"

This is really the epitome of unconditional love. Agape love. Complete unselfishness. What do I have in my hand that I can give to the next person? What can I do to make someone else's road a little easier to travel? To brighten their day? What have I been gifted to do to contribute to others being more fulfilled, inspired, and motivated? Those whose lives answer this question well are true diamonds. I WANT to be this person. I am sometimes, and I WILL BE. In the meantime I will keep praying. :)

"What do I HAVE to give?"

This isn't about obligation, but about inspiration. As I prayed, I was just feeling so grateful about everything my Father has been teaching me and revealing to me. When you start to understand who you are in him, and who he created you to be, it is breathtaking. But more than that, I know that he is teaching me with the understanding that it is my responsibility to share the good news. There is SO MUCH the church still needs to know. We are not living empowered as we should. In large majority, we are not living as "the head, and not the tail." The victor, and not the victim. After all this time, that can only be because of some deception or inaccurate information. So in my gratitude of the graciousness of my Father, I ask myself, "What great truths have I been given that I HAVE to give? What do I have that I MUST share so that someone else can live free and full of joy and peace, no matter what?"

That's me, and my passion. But I believe God has put inside each of us a burning desire for the specific thing that he created us to do. Once we discover it, we feel that we HAVE to become it, share it, live it, give it...or we will never be complete.

"What do I have to give?"

Not Judy or Cindy Lee or Ruth or Jermaine. What do I have that the world would be missing if I did not exist? Because there is something. Never let anyone tell you that there is not. There are some people that only need to know this one truth in order for their entire existence to change. You were made to move mountains, and there are mountains that only you can move.

 love MJ

You should each give, then, as you have decided, not with regret or out of a sense of duty; for God loves the one who gives gladly. 2 Cor. 9:7 GNT


Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving. 2 Cor. 9:7 MSG

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