By Michele Eich
Years ago, God turned a temptation to be offended into a powerful lesson on being a blessing. I carry this treasure in my heart, and I hope it encourages you to bless others.
During my time in Bible college, we had a very special time set aside called “Blessing Day.” All of the students and staff participated, and it was a much-anticipated time of showing love and kindness in action. We were all told to pray about someone to bless and how to accomplish that. I spent several days thinking about the person God placed on my heart and what I would do for that individual.
He actually put two people on my mind. The first was an apprentice who was a year ahead of me in school. The second was a man in my class who was always doing something for others. Once I had the people in mind, I then had to ask God how I was to make their day better. For the apprentice, I gave him money and a card. I wrote to him letting this man know how he had set a great example of a Christian who walks the walk. For my classmate, I bought him something that represented his favorite team, Da Bears. I also included a note letting him know that I appreciated his kindness and generosity throughout the school year.
I was really looking forward to this time of fellowship and joy with my classmates and staff, about 45 people in all. The anticipation for this day of giving with joy had been building for some time. When I entered school that morning, everyone could feel the electricity and excitement in the air. It felt wonderful to bless others, and everyone was so happy!
The exchanges began, and there was much joy, laughter, and gratitude in the room. After a while, I noticed that no one had given me anything. I honestly didn’t think too much of it, but one of my precious classmates took notice. She came over and handed me a planner and gave me a big hug. I could tell that she gave me this because she saw that I did not receive any other gifts that day. She came prepared with several planners for anyone who didn’t receive a gift, but I was the only one empty-handed in the room.
We continued with a time of fellowship, food, and celebrations. On my drive home that day, I processed it all with God. It did bother me a bit that no one got me anything. Because I have dealt with rejection, I admit, it did pick that scab a bit. However, it was just a mild sting, not an avalanche of feelings of unworthiness that normally accompanied such an experience. I could tell that I was growing in this area which felt amazing!
As I was thinking about all of this, I heard the still small voice of God speak to my heart. He said, “Michele, you can get a guaranteed blessing every day. Do you know how? Simply by blessing others.”
Wow, that was a powerful truth. This illustrates the difference between Christians and everyone else. The world is focusing on how to get blessed, and the focus of believers should be how to bless another. We do not have any sort of control over what people do. They may bless us, curse us, or ignore us altogether. However, we do have complete and total control over how we bless others and how we react to people who may hurt, offend, ignore, or even harm us.
Jesus spoke to this and even took it a step further. He said, “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:27-31 NIV).
As Christians, we are not to react the way the world does. Jesus said we should bless everyone, even those who curse us. Is that what our flesh wants to do? Absolutely not! However, we are not to follow our flesh but God’s Spirit on the inside of us. As we are acutely aware, the world is giving us many “opportunities” to bless others as they mistreat us, mock us, and even harm us.
It would have been really nice to get a gift on blessing day, but I actually got something better. I heard from God, and He gave me a great lesson on how I can bless others each and every day. I can also receive a blessing from others by choosing to love those who dislike or even hate me. Jesus constantly reminds me that I get massively blessed when I am persecuted because of Him. What an incredible honor and great blessing to do this for my Lord.
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? Check out our daily devotional books. (They make great gifts too!): Living in Truth Day by Day *** Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit *** Living in Truth: A Christmas Devotional
