Ministry Updates for Wednesday, April 29th, 2020

Web Site Launch – Helping Connect You to Your Faith Community!

Go to farmersvilleunitedmethodist.org to visit our new website!  This site contains much information including a link to our Sunday Facebook Live sessions.  

Scripture for Reflection – Mark 10:50-51 (You may want to re-read Mark 10:46-52)

 

So throwing off his cloak, he (the beggar) sprang up and came to Jesus. 51 Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” 

Reflection – What Do You Want Me to Do for You? (Part 2 of 3 – Abundance)

In a somewhat surprising response, the man calling out for Jesus does not ask for what we assume a beggar would want, which would be cash in his basket. He asks to have his sight restored, so he can be more self-reliant. It is easy for us to think what we really need right now are the funds to get by. This can be an issue, to be sure. But how much better off we are when we have vision into God’s future. It is the difference between a belief in scarcity (is there enough?), and a belief in abundance, which is what we find when God gives us vision to seek and see his kingdom.

The difference between these two positions cannot be overstated in terms of what it means to believe in God. If God is powerful and loving, he will give abundantly to his children. But God, like a loving parent, will not ‘spoil us.’ So, we are faced with challenges that give us opportunity to grow. This also is a dimension of the abundance God has in store for us.

So often in my ministry, I have talked with someone who is unhappy in their work. They feel they are supposed to be doing something else. When I ask, ‘What is stopping you?’, the same answers come up; school, which require time and money. The next question I ask is, ‘Do you think God wants you to be happy?’, and, ‘Is God is calling you to do this ‘something else?’

Armed with these questions, people will take a leap of faith, just as Bartimaeus blindly leaped up to approach Jesus. This is an amazing and wonderful witness to their faith in God’s love.

It is not all as ‘magical’ as you might think. Scholarships are found, budgets are tightened, a spouse or grandparents will take on extra duty with the kids. The energy of hope for a brighter future focuses the use of resources. Energy from loved ones wanting to help those they love to greater happiness creates a wave of support to ride.  And, after all the sacrifices are made for the individual, those loved ones go one more and have a graduation party.

Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of heaven is like…’  Our need will well up the goodness in God, in ourselves and in those around us. Sacrifices turn to joy. Hope turns to reality. Love is practiced in fuller dimension. It is not magic. It is faith. But it most certainly looks and feels magical.

Prayer

God of abundance let us not be discouraged by shortages. Help fix our eye on the promises of the Bible and the abundance of life we enjoy through family, friends, life experiences, nature, and the many other ways you pour out your love on us. Give us faith to believe in You, in ourselves, and in our brothers and sisters in life and in need, so we will be prepared to take our leap of faith, furthering your causes for ourselves and for others. Amen.