The Gift of Life (Part II) 7-4-04 – Matthew 6:25-33

Last Sunday we began to talk about the prayer of blessing that was read tonight as the contemporary reading. We looked at the first two sentences: "May today there be peace with you and may you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be." Your homework was to look at the things/people/situations that take your peace away and to practice those things that give you peace. How did it go? As you went throughout your day could you begin to notice those things… those people that bring peace to your life.

Those people who you feel safe in their presence… they make you happy. What about some of the practices of peace: prayer, music, sitting in nature, lighting a candle, meditating… can you feel a difference in yourself… in your soul.

Are you becoming aware of the situations/people that drain your peace… that share your peace.

It is pretty amazing when you become aware of those things, what a difference it can make in how you face both the joys and challenges of daily living.

This evening we’re going to focus on the next two parts of the is prayer:

There was a young girl – a long time ago – her name was Mary. As the story goes an angel came to her telling her that she had been chosen to bare the child of the future Messiah.

Possibilities born of faith… We are never stuck in a given situation – place – circumstance – unless we choose it. It may feel like it at the time, but we always have the choice to try something new… to do something in a different way… to walk down another road. Someone once said the definition of insanity is "… doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results". When God closes a door, a window may be opened into a whole new world. What are the pros and cons to a given situation? How is it that you want your life to look – to be? Possibilities abound… possibilities born of faith. I have always believed that God has a plan for each one of our lives. As we pray – as we stay close to God – as we seek the counsel of others – as we listen to our heart doors open – some doors close. Possibilities. Nothing is chiseled in stone. Change is possible. What is it that you dream about – what brings you happiness – what is it that you want to be different? Start to make it happen. "With God all things are possible."

"May you use those gifts that you have received and pass on the love that has been given to you."

Each one of us are indeed entrusted with gifts – talents – resources – that we are to use to make our world a better place. That is a part of why we are here. Some of us sing – others of us are good listeners. Some have the gift of wisdom – others the physical energy to get things done. Some of us have financial resources that we can use to help make a difference – others of us have time that we can use to make a difference. So what is it that you in particular have as a gift – and are you using it/ If you are using what has been given to you – you already know how blessed you are. When we give – when we pass along what has been given to us—we are blessed. We know in our hearts that we are going the right things. If you have gifts that you aren’t sharing with others – what holds you back? Is it time – is it fear – fear of rejection? Is it lack of opportunity or just the need to take that first step. I know in my own life the more we give – the more we receive. That’s not necessarily why we give, but we are blessed in the giving. We give because of our love for God, because really everything we have is a trust given to us – to share – to give away. What a great movie a few years ago "Pass It Forward". Someone does something for me – I do something to help someone – and then that person and the next person keep passing it on – passing it forward – and we do end up changing the world. Love passed on – love given to another – love lived out in tangible ways – is the most important gift we can give to another person.

For home work this week I want to invite us to prayer about the possibilities born in faith. Are there changes you need to make, is there a different road you need to walk, a door that you need to try to see what’s on the other side? Begin to pray about that and see what happens. Secondly take time this week to pass forward… a gift… a talent… your time… your love to another person… each and every day. And finally continue to pray the prayer of blessing each day. Next week we’ll look at the rest of the prayer. May you be blessed with the infinite possibilities born in faith and pass on the love that has been given to you.