God's Grammar, or The Verb Series: I Give

This is the last installment of God’s Grammar, or The Verb Series: I Give.  In February, the posts will focus on Lent, Life and Love and will include our first guest writer!  Enjoy.  

(Listen to the post above)

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." ~ Voltaire

One of the most consistent characteristics of wealthy people is charity. Contrary to popular belief, those blessed with abundance are not typically Scrooge-like – selfish in their own wellbeing with no thought of anyone outside of their direct line of vision.   Giving back, out of genuine sincerity or a tax write off, is a regular exercise of the mind and heart, requiring the administrator to pour out into others.  But honestly, what better way is there to enrich the world than to share some of what has been acquired?

Charity actually has no dollar amount and consists of many things; one can donate time to clean up a park or talent to make costumes for a play. It could also be reading to a family member, teaching the alphabet to a child or adult, or cooking an extra pan of lasagne for hungry college students or those less fortunate.  True giving knows no hierarchy and is often overlooked by the less than discerning eye, because it asks for no recognition.  It is what we do innately when we’re being our authentic selves.

“To give”, means “to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow”, “to hand to someone” or “to place in someone's care”.  An Old English word deriving from geifan and changed during Middle English to yiven, its meaning details a level of sacrifice.  It shows honor, privilege and responsibility on all parties involved because it is freeing, requiring no debt be remained physically, emotionally or spiritually.  Giving is the direct act of participating in a blessing, the episode itself often living on in memory.

When we give, we are choosing to invest not only in the world, but in ourselves.  What is put out is what ultimately returns, be it today or 50 years from now in our later generations.  Luke 6:38 reads, “Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put back into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” We are all wealthy, and the ampleness of those spiritual gifts, even when we’re oblivious, flows into all who can see them.

Consider simply identifying one of the gifts you have in abundance and sharing a piece of it with someone else, anonymously. 

Peace and Praise,

Amina S. McIntyre

God's Grammar, or The Verb Series: I Go

Admittedly, this is the hardest post I’ve had to write, the verb “go”, because it is so easy to make an excuse not to.  I hope you enjoy exploring this verb as much as I did.

 
“When God says go.”
 
Remember what it was like waiting to get that Driver’s License?  It took weeks to get someone to teach the basics, to allow fleeting moments for a rookie to take the wheel.  Cars became the forbidden fruit and the desire to control one produced an overwhelming sense of excitement at the thought of having the privilege to operate it.  Funny enough, however, once the right is obtained, there is often a sense of hesitancy in determining where and when to use this newfound freedom.  Somehow, that road trip across the country, just one week later, no longer seems as appealing, when the full weight of responsibility becomes real.
 
All our lives we are developing for something. We acquire skills and are educated in the classroom or on the streets, constantly drinking in knowledge in some ways.   We are incubating, preparing for the appointment that allows us to show what we are learning.  But the opportunity always seems to come before our skills are ready, we feel, to place them on that key chain.  We aren’t always ready to go when the time comes.  This is when doubt can set in and we are faced with the decision to either sit in the car or actually pull back on the gear.
 
“To go” has many definitions, but most directly means to “move or proceed, especially to or from something”, “to leave a place” or “to keep or be in motion”.  This Middle English word also means to “follow”.   It is cyclical when we consider it; in order to lead, we must be a great follower.  In order to get set in motion, we must be willing to pursue the plan.   Isaiah 6:8 reads,  “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" Using the talents and skills we’ve been working on lines us up to journey toward our goals. Agreeing to go will open up the path to resources we never knew existed, that were waiting for us to just make that step forward.
 
Going may mean establishing a new ministry or going into a new job.  Going could mean becoming more dedicated to your cause or your family. Going might be synonymous with getting the proper help and healing. Going perhaps even means no longer just hanging out in the driver’s seat, but actually putting the car in drive.  It is up to us to be bold enough to make the move and go.
 
Consider which opportunity you’ve been preparing all your life for but have been hesitating on.  Meditate on taking the risk and following the goal.  Consider documenting this walk everyday for a week and see what opens as a result of your willingness to get into gear.
 
~ Amina S. McIntyre