Giving of Yourself

          Could there be a truer definition of the term, Giving of yourself than giving blood at a Red Cross donor drive?  I gave blood today and I can physically feel that I have given of myself!  I know that someone will benefit from the gift that I’ve given today.  There are many different ways that we give of ourselves, some, who are no longer able to give blood, are here at the check-in table and in the recovery area' giving their time.  Others give their time in different ways, at church and in the community.  When we give something that’s precious to us, then we know that we have truly given a gift to others.

Of course the truest definition of giving is Jesus, who gave all that he had… even his life.  Throughout his life, he associated with those considered unclean, the diseased, the poor, the outcast, and imprisoned.  He spoke out against a culture and society that benefitted some people at the expense of others.  He continued, even though he knew that his actions would cost him his life.  He gave a gift beyond measure; he died so that we might have life in abundance.

Jesus asks each of us to give as well – to give our very lives – not in death, but in service to others.  Jesus set an example for us, reaching out to others in need, loving our neighbors – those we know and those we don’t.  He told us to give of ourselves, sharing our gifts – our time, our talent, and our money, to reach out to those who have been shunned by society, and to share the good news with others.

We may feel that we don’t have what it takes to do as Jesus asks.  We may feel like we’re just not good enough or that if we have doubts; it means that we don’t have faith.  The truth is; doubt is not the opposite of faith.  Doubt is really part of the faith process…  Faith is something that changes constantly, as the events in our lives serve to test or strengthen our faith.  Faith prepares us to receive Jesus… through our worship, through all who are gathered on Sunday, and through all who remain beyond our doors.  God gives us all that we need, working in us and through us as we give of ourselves so that others may share in our abundance.