Hobby Time
How much of what we do each day is done in the hope of receiving something in return?
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back." - Luke 6:36-38
In today's reading, we venture out beyond the edge of reason.
We are told not to expect a return on our investments. Bad advice, you might say. We would all go broke with that investment strategy.
Some think that is the point. We need to be emptied, depleted of our wealth in order to be truly worthy of God's grace. But that doesn't fit the bill. We are told we are given grace without merit. We don't have to earn it. So, why give up what we have if we have already gained?
But today's reading has Jesus telling his disciples something different.
He advises them to that their ability to do as the Father does will yield greater results than they would expect.
He must be talking about here on earth as well as in the time of trial to come.
Why?
In addition to not being condemned, we gain a good measure of forgiveness, of joy, of blessings, of goodness from God. That has to come to us now, right?
But, how much is that?
I found an interesting take on coming up with a number, based on something quite simple, water.
If we cup our hands and someone pours water into them until it overflows, how many molecules of water would we have in that measure?
It is so many, there is a way to describe it. It is an Avogadro of molecules, a number so big, it is more than the total number of glasses of water there are in the oceans on earth.
That is what God pours out on us, and then some.
Imagine how that feels.
When we value our returns on physical things, we are always disappointed. We could have gotten more for that. We should have been paid more. We deserve better. We were cheated, robbed, swindled.
We are never happy with those returns.
But when we forgive someone who hurt us, when we give from the heart, when we empty the coffers and lay everything out so others can take what they need, what we receive in return is so much more valuable, so much more important, so much more real.
If you are a fan of Shark Tank, like I am, you have probably heard on many occasions Mr. Wonderful telling people who are passionate about their businesses, if you are not making a big profit, it is not a business but a hobby.
But, what if he was able to see the good measure of everything else that comes to these folks. What would he think of their gains then?
If what we do to help others is a hobby, I'm all for celebrating Hobby Time. Are you?
If so, find something you can give away today. It can be something you no longer use, something you wouldn't even miss. Give it away and see what joy it brings to someone else.
I would venture to guess that you will be bathed in the overflow.
Now, let's see. What can I find to give away?
More to come...