God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
[Excerpted from Live Christ’s Peace by Richard James, Herald House Publishing, 2013, pp. 30–31]
A minister stopped to fill his car with fuel. In his generosity, he would often “go the extra mile” as a giver. When it came to the time to pay for the fuel, another minister traveling with him offered to pay, but he declined the gesture. The other minister said, “You have been giving all your life. You need to learn how to receive, too. I will pay for the fuel.” How often do we decline the generous gifts of others?
I remember a time in my young married life when my wife and I did not have enough food to last until the next paycheck came. In fact, we had a tin of peas that had to last three days. As my wife and I pondered what to do, we decided to pray and thank God for what we had. We recognized God’s generosity to us. Before our prayer had finished, the phone rang and a member of our congregation was offering a hot pot casserole. The hot pot casserole lasted three days. It sufficiently fed us.
If our friend had not taken the initiative to call and offer the casserole, we could not have experienced her generosity. She offered her generosity and giftedness to provide blessing. How often do we neglect to share our resources thinking our gift has little value or is not good enough?
Generosity comes from within us, and the value comes from giving and receiving.
One facet of Community of Christ’s Enduring Principle of Grace and Generosity states: “We offer all we are and have to God’s purposes as revealed in Jesus Christ.” We become more like Jesus through spiritual disciplines and disciple formation practices. Our nature, who we are, transforms into the likeness of the Divine. We can more generously give what we have.
We receive God’s abundant grace and generosity. As we become more like Christ, Grace and Generosity abound in us, too. We help change the world.
Prayer Phrase
“Do not be afraid, for I am your God…” (Isaiah 41:10).
Voices of God
What is the voice of God saying to us? Do we hear the whispers of God’s longing for shalom; God’s dream of beauty and wholeness for all creation? Do we hear the “voice” of God calling to us in faces and eyes, in the sounds of suffering and joy, in scripture and sacred word, in tears and laughter, in silence and noise? Spend a few moments reflecting on when and how God’s voice speaks to you. When did you first feel called to join God in the pursuit of peace and justice? How does the call of shalom continue to come to you through the many “voices” of God?
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.