An Extraordinary Life

2 Corinthians 8:3 (NIV)
For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.

We started the weeks devotions looking at Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, where he challenges them to excel in giving, highlighting the generosity of the churches in Macedonia. The church in Macedonia financially gave beyond what seemed humanly possible or sensible.

With all that we’ve been through over the last few years, it would be so easy to turn inwards and to focus on ourselves. But I firmly believe this is a time where the people of God need to step up and take ground for the gospel. A key way of doing this is by living a generous and selfless life … an extraordinary life.

I love what Miroslav Volf writes:

‘Every word and every deed, every thought and every gesture, even the simple act of paying attention can be a gift and therefore an echo of God’s life in us. You sit on your couch, beer or soda in your hand and junk food by your side watching TV for hours – that’s ORDINARY. You work around the clock not because you have to feed your family, but for no other reason than to park a better car in your garage than your neighbours have – that’s ORDINARY. [But] … You get up from the couch to pray with your kids or you give time and energy to help educate a prisoner or to lend an ear to an elderly person – that’s EXTRAORDINARY. Why? Because you are giving. Every gift breaks the barrier between the sacred and the mundane and floods the mundane with the sacred. When a gift is given, life becomes extraordinary because God’s own gift-giving flows through the giver.’

When we give, God’s power and love flows and works through us. What an incredible thought! How might God be leading you into living a more extraordinary life?

Prayer - Lord it can be so hard to give and trust you with our lives. But teach me to be generous in every way. May your divine power flow through me.