Are you one of the Blessed?

Do you consider yourself to be “blessed”?  I know that this is a somewhat difficult question as the definition of “blessed” is somewhat subjective.  If you are on a computer, on the internet, and reading this blog, especially if you live in the US, I will make this case that we are “blessed”.

 

1.)     I would say that we are blessed because we have religious freedom.  We can meet to worship, we can share our faith with others, and we can have bibles to study and deepen our faith.

2.)    I would say that we are blessed because we have social/governmental freedoms that allow us to make our own decisions, pursue our dreams and stake a claim to our own future.

3.)    I would say that we are blessed financially.  You may not agree with this but perhaps you could consider a few financial numbers from Uganda.  The average wage for an adult in Uganda is just over $1 per day.  For a university graduate, the average wage is $5 per day.  Then consider these wages in a place where a gallon of gas costs almost $8.  What’s more, 50% of the world’s population, or 3 billion people, live on less than $2.50 per day.

4.)    We are blessed to have brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage us, support us and “do life” with us.

This morning, as I enjoyed the sunrise over Lake Victoria,

 

 I read something in 1 Timothy, that resonated with me.  1 Timothy 6:17-19 says “17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  19 In this way they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life”.  Then as we were in church today, the message was about how God blesses us so that we can be a blesser.  To me, it seems like the point was being driven home.

 

I have been challenged to do more with the blessings that God has given me.  I will challenge you to lay up treasures for yourself as a firm foundation by giving of your time, your resources, your talents and your passion to those that are less fortunate than you.  These people may be around the corner, tornado damaged portions of our state or on the other side of the world.  Count your blessings name them one by one!

 

1 in 5 Ugandan children die of a treatable cause before their 5^th birthday.  What if we helped that one person?

 

Jay