This morning, like most mornings lately, I woke up to a thought, an impression, a prompting of the Spirit. Usually these mornings are about work or something I have to accomplish that day but today was a bit different. Today I woke up and rather than lying in my bed, scrolling through Facebook or some other random time waster, I decided to do a little contemplating and write a post in my old WordPress site.

The past few months, I have been wanting to get back to a place where I can express some creativity and and more importantly, publish some ideas I can reflect on later, So I thought this morning I would get out of bed and actually sit down in my office and write my thoughts down before I got my day going and lost the opportunity.

As some of that may read this, mainly just my friends and and contacts on Facebook and LinkedIn, (I’m really not all that well known) you may not be aware that I am a local worship director at a small church in Cuyahoga Falls Ohio, Northampton Bible Church. I have served here for about 5 years and prior to that have been in several churches over the past 20 or so years. Fortunately, my vocation and career is in Information Technology and so for most of my time serving in leadership at the local church level, I have been blessed and “privileged” to able to volunteer my time and have not asked for a stipend or salary. I don’t say that for a pat on the back or some sort of sideways means to to puff up myself, but rather to say that I come get to see this idea of “giving as a privilege” lived out weekly.

In today’s pursuit of the “side hustle”, the thought of giving up of ones times or money to a cause or community, with no return or “passive income” seems to be something that many do not pursue as a priority. I am not saying don’t pursue the YouTube Channel or Amazon seller account, but there is something fundamental to our soul and well being, to give without the expectation of getting. To be part of something bigger than ourselves and to not view giving as a “requirement or obligation”. Giving has a unique way to stir us into seeing the world a little brighter. It could be our time. It could be our money. It could be service. Whether we donate to a local charity, a cure for a disease, volunteering at local food bank or shelter or something that hits home for a lot of my personal contacts, tithing or giving to the church, the thought of giving as a “privilege” is something which could strengthen our communities, our churches and allow us to see beyond the current “doom and gloom” of our current situations.

There is something that happens in us when we give. When we recognize the needs of others or support causes which are not ourselves. We have an opportunity to participate in the building of our communities and making life just a little better for those around us.

My hope is that this “thought, impression, prompting of the Spirit“, will stir you to act in in your local circle of influence. There is an abundance of need in the world and those of us that have been blessed with the talents and resources to meet that need, “get to” not ” are obligated to” give and support those that do not have the same opportunities.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” – Matthew 25:34-40