Sunday, March 14, 2021

What Gift Shall We Give?

Read: UMH 886

This past year of 2020 has been a strikingly difficult one, bringing into sharp focus the ills of our contemporary world. We count among them the pandemic, political and social strife, challenges relating to the natural environment, fair and equitable distribution of the goods and services necessary for meaningful human life. And, looking far back in time, the frequency of war, which pits one segment of humanity against another. I have often wondered when the children of God, as remarkably diverse as we are, will make another choice – to see ourselves as belonging to one human family, as members of the body of Christ, issuing from one “God, creator of the world and of all people" (UMH 886).

If we are completely open and honest with ourselves, no one will deny humanity’s great need of healing, on both personal and societal levels. But the process of healing must begin with our firm desire for it. In reality, our greatest need is for the healing of our minds, for all our words and actions originate with our thoughts. Unhealthy desires and motives must be relinquished if we are to the made whole. Healing is not for ourselves alone, for we are not alone. We are joined in the oneness of the great Creator, whose spirit is in all living things. What we give to others is the gift we give to ourselves. Would we be forgiven? Then we forgive. Would we be loved? Then we love. Would we be respected? Then we respect others. Would we have peace? Then we give peace to make it ours. In Luke 6:38 we read, "Give and it will be given to you.” And in Acts 20:35, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

The healing of humanity and the planet is collaborative in nature. It is the result of minds that join and not separate. We are called to a most holy function – to reach out to every broken fragment of God's creation with healing, comforting, and uniting love. The whole of God’s plan depends on each individual’s acceptance of his/her part. Do you sense Spirit's gentle call? Then a role has been assigned to you. Upon full acceptance, you have made the deliberate choice to see that your interests are not apart from someone else's. The lamp burns more brightly now.

In his sermon on the mount Jesus said, "It is you who are the light of the world... let your light so shine before people that, seeing your good actions, they will praise your Father in Heaven." Yet it is not a light of this world. It shines within in perfect peace and purity, and is ours to radiate, thereby increasing in intensity and attractiveness. To each person with whom we share a portion of our Earthly journey, be that person close or regarded as a stranger, we are given the opportunity to replace darkness with light, and fear with love. And those you thus help will shine on you in gratitude for your bringing to their tired eyes a vision of a different world. Giving the gifts of hope, love, and healing is the way to ensure that they are truly and lastingly ours.

May the peace and love of Christ be our treasure each and every day,
Doug Dykstra