I ain’t Scrooge. But Christmas is over.
But, it’s okay. We will remember it for a good while. If you’re like me, my most treasured gift was wrapped in my favorite carbs and fats. Yes. It shall be remembered as I try to get rid of the extra padding on the waist for the next 11 months. A gift that keeps on giving.
This year, I want to be a gift that keeps on giving and not one that keeps on hoarding things to myself. I don’t want to have a Dead Sea mentality.
The Dead Sea is a landlocked salt sea between Jordan and Israel. This fascinating ancient spa is 9 times saltier than the ocean, and it’s the lowest point on Earth. (Mind the cuts on your body as you float, or the stings will make you scream for your mama in no time.)
This great pool hosts 21 minerals, various types of salt, and the famous “black mud”. All these have cosmetic and therapeutic benefits.
Our Jewish friend Chaim had a unique view “The Dead Sea is rich, but there’s no life in it. We can be just like it. God fills us with many riches and we keep them to ourselves.”
Just like the Dead Sea is fed by the Jordan River, so are we filled with blessings by the Lord.
Many gifts are housed in our body.
“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” Romans 12:6-8 NLT
As Elizabeth Elliot said it well “You can’t give your heart to Jesus and keep your body to yourself”, nor your talents.
I encourage you to take the time this year to explore something new, or improve something old. What if no one did anything with the minerals of the Dead Sea? Millions of people would have missed out on being blessed by it. There’s a crowd of people waiting to be blessed through you.
What if our busyness, our fear to fail, or our distorted view of our gifts is keeping others from being blessed?
Many blessings are stored in our house
We don’t have to write a book, or compose a song to bless others. We already have much to give: a meal, a listening ear, clothes, baby-sit, have an over-night guest. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17 NIV
- Out-of-the-box serving. As we moved into our new home, a generous couple in our church has asked for a grocery list, and they had it delivered to our home. The milk, the eggs, the frozen chicken (and more) were our first food items in our fridge. (The secret is out. We’re no vegetarians, nor vegans.) What a creative blessing. A Nigerian single-adult blessed us the week of Christmas too. These people inspire me to reach out to others in creative ways.
- Decluttering is good for the house and for the soul. In our home, as we place the new t-shirt in our wardrobe, we take another one out to give away. (As we’ve been receiving donations for the refugees, we had to toss some in the trash. Make sure it’s something you wouldn’t mind receiving yourself.)
- Do life with those who can’t contribute to your life. It’s more rewarding. Give them a meal, take them shopping for clothes, have coffee with them, or simply listen to their story.
- Focus on others. Too often we have restrained compassion because of past disappointment, or being taken advantage of. Take new risks and unleash your love and focus on others. Having our eyes on others will take our eyes from our struggles. It helps with depression and self-pity. (I never said not to be wise and discerning of those who truly take advantage of your kindness. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16 NIV )
Are we a reservoir of blessings, or a life-giving spring?
The Dead Sea, once known as the Sea of Sodom, could be a reminder of lack of faith, and life. But the Lord can restore and bring beauty to our ashes. Let’s bring life to our messy lives by allowing others to float in the pool of our blessings. Reality is that if there’s anything good in my life, all credit goes to Jesus.
“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2