The biggest vision for the Kingdom of Heaven is that we get to worship the King of Glory in the fullness of joy with other believers. We are adopted into a greater family and that’s something worth rejoicing about – it’s a blessing to us from the Almighty God because it is the fulfillment of His promise.
Hopefully it causes our hearts to yearn for the expansion of this family, to be inclusive to the lost so that they grasp the exuberant love God has lavished on us through Jesus and the gift of eternal life. In order for them to grasp the meaning of what this family is about, we need be a blessing to them.
How to be a Blessing
So what does it mean to be a blessing?
It means that we, as the children of God and bride of Christ, have the opportunity to bring the grace & mercy of Christ to those who don’t currently have it. It also means that because we take part in the lives of others, God can work in their lives to show His power and provision to them.
Joseph brought blessing to the nation of Egypt when he deciphered Pharoah’s dream to instruct him to store up food prior to the drought so they would be prepared for the famine. God also blessed the surrounding nations by the stock pile of food the Egyptians were providing for those who came in need. (Genesis 41-45)
Abraham interceded for the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah, seeking to save his neighbors (Genesis 18). Abraham also prayed for the ability to conceive and birth children for Abimelech’s household & dug wells to bless and make a treaty with Abimelech (Genesis 20 & 21).
David saved Israel by defending God’s character and chosen nation against Goliath (1 Samuel 17) and conquered many battles (1 Samuel 30, 1 Chronicles 18).
And of course, Jesus (and the disciples when sent out) healed countless people and offered the restoration of their relationships with God. They enabled people to encounter and take hold of eternal life, healing them spiritually.
Throughout the entire Bible there are examples of God’s people blessing those in their vicinity and spheres of influence. They brought relational & material blessing. We must have a desire to see people enveloped in the fold of grace, to see them adopted as daughters and sons of the Most High God.
To be a blessing we must interact with, and extend ourselves to, everyone we meet. No matter how small our encounters with others, we have an opportunity to enable them to see Christ in us.
The first step is to pray for a heart to do exactly that. To care deeply about people and see them redeemed. Pray for God to work in you, and then through you, to impact others around you. Let us be the Body that God called us to be!
Latest posts by Holly (see all)
- When Letting Go is Easy - May 31, 2016
- What It Means To See - April 20, 2016
- Grace Upon Grace - February 29, 2016
dawnklinge says
This is good, and you are so right about the first step being to pray for a heart that wants to bless others. It doesn’t always come naturally, but we can ask for that desire.
Holly says
Thanks Dawn! And you are also right, our flesh wants comfort and naturally we are sinful and selfish. All the more reason to need God to change our hearts! Thanks for stopping by!
Michele Morin says
Holly, I almost didn’t recognize you here, because I’m used to finding you at the Brown Tribe. For years, I’ve had in my heart the prayer, “Lord, let me be a blessing to You,” because so often I’m sure that I’m NOT. I do need these reminders, so thanks for sharing this today.
Holly says
Thank you for finding me here as well, Michele! A lot of people don’t recognize me on other sites so you are not alone. I’m grateful for your words and visit, I’m so glad it encouraged you as well. Have a great day!
Kaylene Yoder says
For some time now I have been praying that God would expand my ability to bless others along with a greater sphere of influence to bless for His glory. At first I thought that sounded like it might have an ulterior motive, just wanting to be ‘known’ kind of thing. But He has been answering this prayer in ways I never imagined. When done in humble obedience, our sphere of influence can only expand! Whats exciting is it isn’t just my sphere of influence that’s expanding, it’s ours as couple and family! While our sphere of influence isn’t large, or anything noticeable, He has made it grow. I also never expected that blessing others could bless us more than it does them. I’m not naturally a very giving or blessing kind of person, but I’m enjoying it more and more! He is so good!
Holly says
I so appreciate your words and heart, Kaylene, thank you! Praise God for your growing influence and your heart’s shifting to embrace giving & blessing others. Excellent!
stultsmamaof4 says
So true, Holly! We must extend ourselves to others. I’m not always natural at this – often it requires pushing myself beyond my comfort zone a little, but it’s always worth it! I agree with what Kaylene said above, too. I think too often we fail to ask the Lord for greater reach or more frequent opportunities. This is something I’m working on.
Jen 🙂
Holly says
Thanks Jen! I agree with you & Kaylene as well and am praying for the same!