Devotions this week based on Sunday’s Message: Compass: SHARE what God has given! (LISTEN HERE)
We can only share what we have been given.
I can’t take food from my neighbor and share it with someone else. I can only share the food I have bought or been given. We share what WE have been given.
The same is true for our faith.
While the content of our faith, trust in Jesus as our Savior, is common, the facets and nuances of our faith and how we have experienced the love, grace and mercy of God is unique to us. But while in some ways it may be unique to us, it is given to us to share with someone else who is experiencing a similar situation.
What do I mean?
The Apostle Paul wrote this to the Christians in Corinth:
2 Corinthians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
The Apostle Paul and his traveling companions went through a lot of trials as they traveled around the Mediterranean world proclaiming the Gospel. Some of those encounters were minor and others put their lives on the line. In all of these situations, Paul found comfort from God. While his body was beaten and abused, he knew that God still loved him and was caring for him. This gave him comfort.
But the comfort wasn’t just for him…
It was to share with others.
The Lord allowed the challenges in Paul’s life so that Paul could experience the comfort of God in those troubles. He wanted to give Paul this comfort so Paul could then share that same comfort with others.
Do you see how it works?
God gives you a facet of his grace not only for you, but for you to share with others.
But that’s hard, right?
Let’s stay on the topic of comfort.
When we go through a loss of a loved one, perhaps an unexpected death, that is hard to go through. We are tempted to ask, “Why God?” and perhaps find ourselves more frustrated at God. However, the Lord invites us to receive what he wants to give us: Comfort. Amidst the tears and the unanswered questions, Jesus says, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. (John 11:25-26)
The comfort Jesus gives is that for those that die believing in Jesus, there is a glorious reunion in heaven. Why? Because Jesus himself overcame death!
Why does Jesus tell us this? Because he wants US to be comforted.
And…
He wants us to comfort someone else with the same comfort we have received from God.
So after we have experienced the comfort of Jesus in the loss of a loved one, it is for our benefit, but there is also enough to share with a friend, co worker or family member who experiences the loss of a Christian loved one.
It might sound like this:
“I know it is so hard to lose someone we love so unexpectedly. Here’s what has helped me. God reminded me that death is only a temporary separation because he has promised that all who believe in him will live forever in heaven. I’m sad and miss my loved one, but what comforts my heart is that I will get to see them again.”
And…you’ve just shared your faith.
Because you took what God has given to you and shared it with someone else.
Apply: What experience with God has been a blessing to you? Do you know someone who is going through a similar circumstance? How might you share that encounter with them?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me so many blessings of grace! Help me to receive them with gratitude, but also with the ability to share them with others. AMEN.