We often seek renewal—think of an empty cup in need of filling. We invite God to fill us with blessing and affirm our gifts. When we respond, we are pouring out the essence and substance of our renewal. Love, compassion, kindness, and other gifts flow into us, and we respond by sharing our abundance with a world in need. We become servants.
In a context where there is little or no thanks for our service, respond can sometimes turn into resent. We can feel used, unappreciated, taken for granted.
This is why it is so important where we fix our gaze when we respond. In addition to seeing those we serve and their response, faith would invite us to also see God’s response to us. When we see God smiling at us, encouraging us, inspiring us, and promising to bless our responses—then we can know that what we have done has already made a difference.
Today is the 25th Sunday after Pentecost. This message was adapted from the first session of the 2011 summer Bible study written by Catherine Malotky and David Engelstad that first appeared in the June 2011 issue of Lutheran Woman Today (now Gather) magazine.
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