In most situations, I am a believer in the idea, “You get what you pay for.” It has been my experience that Great Clips could just as truthfully be called “Clips.” Super Cuts are not always super. Fantastic Sams – not so fantastic.
Are you seeing a trend here? Perhaps I need therapy for some haircuts gone wrong. I don’t mean to offend anyone who might work at one of these fine establishments; I am just speaking from personal experience.
Especially during the last few (ridiculously tough) years, this idea of getting what you pay for spans far beyond finances. I believe the investment you make in friendships, with family members, and in your relationship with God can run on this same principle. The more you invest in these relationships, the bigger the potential benefit.
Now hear me out: We do not invest in people or in a relationship with God for the sole purpose of seeing how the relationship is going to benefit us. The benefit should never be the motivation. Rather, the benefit is simply an added bonus of living in community with God and others.
Oftentimes, during the holidays, we take time to reflect with gratitude. As a result, we are more apt to give generously our time, talents, and resources. Yet, gratitude and generous giving should not be reserved only for the chaotic days between turkeys and candy canes.
As we attune ourselves to God’s activity, we learn how to know His voice and respond in immediate obedience. Then, we can experience the true joy that accompanies true relationship.
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” {Luke 6:37}
I recently experienced this in my own life. A friend had a need that not only was I able to meet, but I felt compelled to meet. I sensed God’s leading, and I responded with immediate obedience. I had no expectation for a blessing in return, and I did not meet the need with the idea that I was entitled to anything.
However, I received my blessing pressed down, shaken together, and running over. I was overwhelmed, and my expectations were exceeded. Again, the blessing was secondary to the relationship, but amazing, nonetheless. God is often in the business of exceeding our expectations, and I love that He frequently uses other people to do just that.
God is our Father, and He wants to bless us. The gifts, talents, and resources that He gives us are to be used for two main purposes: to bring glory to God and to bless other people.
Let’s not lose sight of this during the next few weeks of the hustle and bustle of Christmas. Bring glory to God; bless other people. Bring glory to God; bless other people. Got it?
“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” {Ephesians 3:20-21}
Bring glory to God; bless other people. Do you see it in the verse above? To Him be the glory in the church, the body of Believers. Look around you. Where can you make an investment? Where can you meet needs? Where can you respond with immediate obedience? What is stopping you?
The Christian community acting to exceed expectations. Wow. This is the true spirit of Christmas.
*Photo credit: Noranna
