• The Blessing: Hit or Miss

    Date: 2010.03.08 | Category: Bible Study, MFM | Tags:

    I’ve been reading The Blessing .  See theblessing.com for more information on the book. The first 15 chapters of the book focus on defining the blessing and how to impact those around us with the blessing.

    But giving a blessing can be hit or miss. Our next chapter will talk about how people miss the blessing from their parents. In the movie Barbie presents Thumbelina, Makena is the classic example of a girl who is seeking the approval and blessing of everyone around her and mostly missing it.  Makena’s parents are so busy working their careers that they have little time for their daughter, although they tout, “Anything for you dear, just ask.”   The scenario proves that showering a child with gifts and satisfying every whim won’t make up for blessing the child with a unique message for a special future.  Because her parents aren’t meeting those deep needs, Makena seeks approval from her peers using any means of manipulation to win.  The fierce battleground of junior high girl popularity brings out the worst in her spoiled peers and is the crucible that reveals Makena’s true character.

    In our discussion, we’ve been talking about how to bless our children.  But it’s not just our children who need affirmation. God puts people in our path all the time who need a blessing from Him through us.  At the beginning of the movie, a series of unfortunate events result in Thumbelina and her friends getting transported to Makena’s apartment.  This relocation forces Thumbelina to make friends with someone she would never have spoken with otherwise.

    Thumbelina challenges Makena’s notion of friendship and blesses her by saying, “I’m glad we are friends.”  Thumbelina can see that Makena is at a crossroads and needs a higher purpose for her life than one-upping her peers.  Thumbelina’s simple blessing affirming their friendship transforms Makena from a self-seeking spoiled brat to a young woman who has a purpose that reaches beyond her four walls.

    Psalm 67 reads,

    ” 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine upon us,
    Selah

    2 that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

    3 May the peoples praise you, O God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

    4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples justly
    and guide the nations of the earth.
    Selah

    5 May the peoples praise you, O God;
    may all the peoples praise you.

    6 Then the land will yield its harvest,
    and God, our God, will bless us.

    7 God will bless us,
    and all the ends of the earth will fear him.”

    When we bless that person that God has put into our life, they in turn can bless others.  Ultimately, we seek the blessing so that God may be glorified, not just so that we feel good.   Who has God put into my life for the purpose of blessing so that s/he can glorify God?  Let me not miss the opportunity to bless others. May God give me the words that hit deep in the spirit so that He can begin the transforming work of sanctification.