Life

Okay, so I have a very precious group of girl-friends that all blog about the same topic each week... and I am FINALLY joining them. There is a specific passage in the Bible that God spoke to me at the beginning of this year, and this portion of the Word has become what I strive for in my life EVERY DAY!

2 Corinthians 8:1-11


2 Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4 they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. 5 And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will. ...7 But just as you excel in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us--see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 10 And here is my advice about what is best for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 


*In a time of severe affliction, their Abundance of Joy + Their Extreme Poverty = a Wealth of Generosity.(vs2)  They did not make excuses, feel pity for their situation, or count on others to do the job, their TRUE SELF (Joy) added to their SITUATION (poverty), resulted in MIRACLES (rich generosity).


*They were awesome at a lot of things : faith, speech, knowledge, earnestness, and love... but it was their GENEROSITY alone that proved all of these things to be GENUINE (vs 7-8)


*They finished well(vs10-11): READY (eager willingness); and COMPLETING the task (matching their willingness with action)


I want to be a woman, a wife, a mother; that overflows with generosity, in EVERY area of my life, I want to be genuine in my love for others, and I want to be someone who FINISHES what I begin.  There have been many moments in my life when I have been overcome with zeal and generosity toward something amazing, but I want my long-term actions to back up that zeal and prove my love to be genuine.


Forever figuring out this thing called life,
Rach


Ps..ooh.. check out these blogs too- Emily, Alyssa, Aniela, and Shelly- I guarantee a good read!! :)