Romans 12

As I have gone through life and ministry, it seems to me there are two kinds of people:  those who give and those who take.  Now this may seem kind of cynical (especially for a Pastor), but stay with me for a moment.

There are those people in life who go out of their way to help, no matter what.  There are those people you know will stop whatever they are doing to help if you are in need.  These are the people who are available to talk if you need a friend, the people who will give you the gift of their time.  This group of people is compassionate and encouraging.  They will listen and not judge, but offer sound council – only when asked.  This group is life-giving!

Then there are those people who expect to be catered to every day of their lives.  It’s almost as if they feel they are owed something. They insist on everyone else to bend to their wishes and desires.  When a group is trying to decide where to go for a meal, they make a suggestion and practically insist the group goes with their recommendation.  This group of people can be exhausting to be around – almost like they suck the life out of you.

Now, I’m sure each of us has belonged to both groups at one time and another in our life, but who do you prefer to be around?  Personally, I prefer to be around those who are life giving.  I prefer to give my time to those who are life giving.  The challenge with the “life-givers” is that they get so used to giving, they forget how to be served.

We all need to be able to humble ourselves when necessary and ask for help; not in a “suck the life out of those around you” kind of way, but in a “letting someone else provide the blessing for a change” kind of way.  We need to create a third category – those who bless others, but also allow others to bless them.  We need to intentionally become the church.  I admit, it’s easier for me to offer help than it is to ask for it, but if I don’t ask, I’m denying someone else the opportunity to serve.

Which category do you belong to most of the time?  The life-givers? Or the life-suckers?  Or are you seeking to belong to a third category, those who bless, but allow other to bless you too?

I’m praying for you!  Blessings to you all J

Pastor Amy