The General Conference and South Pacific Division annual meetings this year both had the theme “Chosen for Mission”. When Abram was chosen for mission, he was blessed by God to be a blessing. Scripture says, “Go from your country . . . to the land I will show you . . . and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing . . . in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:1-3, ESV).
Abram was a blessing when he interceded for others and rescued Lot (Genesis 13,14,18,20). However, Abram was not a blessing when he lied about his wife and when he let Hagar leave (Genesis 12,16,20,21). He did not always live up to God’s chosen mission. Despite this, God was always faithful and continually reminded Abram he would be blessed to be a blessing (13:14-17, 14:19,20, 15:1, 17:4-6,19, 18:10). Six different affirmations in 25 years! Abraham believed in God and His promises and he was credited as being righteous (15:6).
So what are my blessings? How am I a blessing to others?
The book BLESS: 5 everyday ways to love your neighbor and change the world, by Dave and Jon Ferguson, gives simple, practical ways each of us can be a blessing to others. They made an acrostic of the word BLESS that is easy to remember.
Let me illustrate these in my experience.
Begin with prayer: I’ve had great prayer experiences at the pastors’ meetings in Australia, New Zealand and PNG. There have been Zoom prayer sessions for Avondale and #weRtheCHURCH, and for community and religious liberty issues.
Listen to others: Soup kitchens, food pantries and op-shops minister because they have heard the needs of the people around them. The 10,000 Toes campaign is responding to the great need of dealing with type 2 diabetes with lifestyle.
Eating: Something we do well—but are we including our friends and neighbours?
Serving is happening with childcare, transport, cleaning up gardens, repairing houses and ADRA disaster ready churches
Sharing Jesus happens in digital posts, Hope and Faith FM, Hope Channel, Signs magazines, public meetings and sharing your personal story with Jesus.
Let’s continue Abraham’s legacy and be a blessing to all nations.
