[vc_row height=”small” el_class=”dailyBody” css=”.vc_custom_1465516518912{margin-top: -25px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/4″][us_image image=”12648″ size=”tnail-1×1″][ultimate_heading main_heading_color=”#5fc8d7″ sub_heading_color=”#5fc8d7″ alignment=”left” main_heading_font_family=”font_family:Allerta|font_call:Allerta” main_heading_style=”font-style:italic;” main_heading_font_size=”desktop:16px;” sub_heading_style=”font-style:italic;,font-weight:bold;” sub_heading_font_size=”desktop:16px;” main_heading_line_height=”desktop:15px;” sub_heading_line_height=”desktop:22px;” margin_design_tab_text=””]
To offer a blessing is to evoke God’s sovereign goodness on someone else’s behalf.
[/ultimate_heading][us_separator height=”20px” size=”custom”][us_sharing providers=”email,facebook,twitter,gplus”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”3/4″][vc_column_text]
By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. – Hebrews 11:21
A blessing affirms goodness into the life of another person. It isn’t just words. It’s actually proclaiming the desire of your heart – from the very center of your will – for another person. Yet, at the same time, humbly admitting your inability to carry it out. To offer a blessing is to evoke God’s sovereign goodness on someone else’s behalf. Therefore, to truly offer blessing, one must be directed toward another person as well as convinced only God can carry it out. Both freely flow from a depth of faith in God and hope for someone else’s future.
To think, Jacob, the deceiver and swindler became a man who blessed others. Isn’t that ironic? The man who was scheming to take blessing is now offering blessing. And, not only that, he goes down in history with this on his resume. The author of Hebrews recounts the stories of old and Jacob is named as one who blesses. This one verse is packed with rich history. Every word is carefully chosen to tell Jacob’s story.
Jacob’s life of deceit became a live of faith. On his deathbed, he demonstrates his sincere faith with a deep desire to bless his grandchildren. In a posture of trust, Jacob leans over the head of his staff, bowing before God and entrusting the future of his child and his children’s children into God’s care. Jacob worships God by changing from his lifelong posture of receiving blessing to giving it away. As an act of worship to God, decide how you might bless someone in your life today. You could send a note, offer a word of encouragement, spend time in prayer for someone hurting, or simply offer a smile and a kind hello. Be creative and sincere in what you choose – knowing your action is as much for God as it is intended for the other person.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
– Proverbs 3:5-6
[/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_column_text]
By Yvonne Biel
[/vc_column_text][us_separator height=”25px” size=”custom”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″]
[/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
