Bless You - Day 5

“Do you bless people?” This was the question God asked me yesterday. It’s a simple question, really. So, why has the examination of it pained me so much? God knows how full my calendar is. He knows that I have two kids and a husband to take care of. He knows how many friends I have. He knows I am a part of starting a church. Still the irritating question, “Do you bless people?” He even managed to hit me with it in scripture. Genesis 47:7-10: Then Joseph brought his father, Jacob, and presented him to Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. “How old are you?” Pharaoh asked him. Jacob replied, “I have lived for 130 hard years, but I am still not nearly as old as many of my ancestors.” Then Jacob blessed Pharaoh again before he left.

Jacob blessed Pharaoh not once but twice in the extremely short time of being in his presence. It was instinctive for Jacob to do this. This is why God has asked me this question. Instinct. Blessing people is not my first instinct. God needs to hit this home for me right now. Look at it from His perspective. If I am to be a part of God’s kingdom by starting this church, His desire is that my first instinct be that of blessing another.

How do we do this? In the book we all just read, The Challenge of the Disciplined Life, Richard Foster says by “[looking] into the eyes of that solitary individual. And perhaps, just perhaps, that look will keep us from betraying the Lord of glory. You see, service is not really charts and programs and elaborate strategies to serve humanity. No, it is looking into the fugitives eyes.”

We will serve by blessing people. It won’t be because we have slick ads or cool music or a new way of saying what is ancient to God. It will be because we will look them in the eye and bless them in the name of our mighty Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. “Do you bless people?” God, please let it be so.

Ask God to show Fellowship how to richly bless people. Pray a prayer of blessing for Katie as she undergoes a procedure today.