Being Chosen
Thank you for joining me again on A Miracle Every Day.
The disciples, as depicted in The Chosen, are human, raw, flawed, dedicated, and real! I love how the series depicts the passion of Thomas, who moves from a place of skepticism towards that moment (still to come in the series) where he will proclaim, “My Lord and my God!” Don’t we all hope to move closer to a moment of dedication like that?
When I think of how “paying it forward” with A Miracle Every Day can touch someone else’s life, I am prompted to think of how this opportunity for generosity can move me closer to God.
Let’s ponder this for a moment… paying it forward allows us to:
1. Grow closer to Jesus:
More than anything else, when we give, it's like our hearts just naturally reach out to our dear Savior. Matthew 6:21 tells us so beautifully, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21, NIV)
Think about it—when we offer what we have to Christ and His work, out of the love that's in our hearts for Him, it's like a gentle pull, drawing us nearer and nearer to Him. And isn't that the most precious thing? To really know Jesus, to walk alongside Him—nothing else in this whole world even comes close.
2. Become more like our Savior:
What's at the very heart of Jesus? It's a spirit of giving—unselfish and pure. Now, we know, don't we, that by nature we humans can be a little focused on ourselves. But the wonderful thing is that when we give from a place of love, it helps shape us. It molds us into that beautiful image of Christ. Someone wise once said, "Giving isn't just about how God gets things done; it's about how He lifts us up, helping us grow into the very likeness of His Son.”
3. Invest in our Heavenly home:
Matthew 6:20 says: "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20, NIV)
Can you just picture that? Heaven has its very own special place, a safe and secure place where our investments last forever! And we have the joyful opportunity to invest there.The Apostle Paul, bless his heart, wasn't so much focused on the gift itself, but on the wonderful "profit which increases to your account" in Philippians 4:17. Each and every one of us has a special account waiting for us in heaven, a treasure we'll enjoy for all eternity. We can't take our earthly things with us when we go home, no, but we sure can make loving deposits into our heavenly account before that day comes
4. See blessings multiply here on Earth
Proverbs 11:24-25 tells us so clearly, "One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:24-25, NIV)
It's a truth straight from God!
Why does the Lord show us this? Because He wants us to know that He's the one behind it all. Our God, in His wisdom, has chosen to be unseen, but He longs for us to experience His love and His reality in tangible ways. So, when we give, let's do it with open hearts, trusting that the Lord—in His own perfect timing and in His own wonderful ways—will bring about an increase.
He's certainly full of surprises, isn't He? But let's always remember, the real joy and the real blessings of giving come when we give with a happy heart, overflowing with love, not just because we're hoping to get something back.
As I watch The Chosen, I am constantly struck by the empathy and hope of Jesus. His humanity is the gift through which He gives us his deity! Let’s be just like Him today as we pay it forward and GROW!
Never forget my friend,
You are a miracle!!
