BUMPER STICKERS

I've found my favorite bumper sticker- bar none! It reminds me of a question that I have been wrestling with- "Where can we first find the Great Commission in Scripture?" Where would you say it is? I landed on Matthew 28:19-20 but as it turns out, I'm many, many books and chapters off in my guess. As it turns out, God provided His first pass at the Great Commission His chosen people, the Israelites. In Genesis 12:1-3 He commissions Abram with His blessing and promise to bless His people SO THAT they will bless the nations and glorify Him. You may remember that Israel, amidst some successes, largely failed at their mission but God nonetheless accomplishes His promise and sees that many peoples come to faith in Him through the ways He shows off using the Israelites.

My faith in God is a byproduct of this Genesis 12 blessing. In fact, America's prosperity is a blessing from God and too is a byproduct of the Genesis 12 blessing. I find it difficult to sing along with "God Bless America" as I don't see how it is that we can ask God for more blessing when we as a country have not been good stewards of the many blessings He's already provided. We consume. We deepen the trench between those who have and those who don't in this world. When will we recognize that we need to in fact bless God back?

I am taking this bumper sticker, indeed this premier of the Great Commission, and making it my life's mission. I am blessed SO THAT I may bless others. Jesus teaches about the "least of these" to which my blessings can be directed. Feed the hungry. Provide water for the thirsty. Show kindness to strangers. Visit the imprisoned. Care for the sick. Clothe the naked.

Are you blessed 2 bless? Will you always delight in God? Will you fully depend on God? Will you take Him to the nations?