Do you really want to be blessed?

How do you feel about blessings?

Personally, I like them. At least I think I do. Blessings can come in the form of a tax refund check, a raise, a healthy baby, a home to live in, or lower gas prices. So essentially we view blessings primarily as something that makes our lives easier…right? So is it possible that a blessing may require more of you? Let me direct you to an incident that took place in the early part of Jesus’ ministry. He has yet to officially fill his disciple roster, but that is about to change as he walks the beach near Capernaum. Read the event that takes place for your self.

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”

Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.

Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will catch men.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” ~ Luke 5:4-11

The point of focus in these verses is that Peter is a professional fisherman—the dude had seen it all. Then Jesus shows up and, after an unproductive night of catching nothing, asks Peter to go out again. Peter I’m sure doubts the fishing expertise of this landlubber, but obeys none-the-less, only to be amazed by the catch of his life…maybe even the catch of the century. It is such an amazing catch that it requires extra boats that end up being so full they are all on the verge of sinking. Peter is not only amazed, but is convicted as well. He realizes that he is in the presence of someone who possesses the power of God, someone who might even possibly be God. When invited to join Jesus as a disciple, Peter doesn’t even hesitate. He simply walks away from his lottery earnings to follow Jesus.

Now the point I want to direct your attention is this: Did Peter receive a blessing from God? That blessing of fish was unforeseen, unbelievable, and once in a lifetime, it was literally off the charts. But what did that blessing cost Peter and his employees? I’m sure that there were some rope burns, cuts, scrapes, pulled muscles, torn nets and damaged boats. Not to mention a whole lot of work cleaning fish, but isn’t that what they wanted? Wasn't that a fisherman's greatest dream? Yet it was a blessing that came with a price.

The same thing can be said for anyone who has had a baby. A baby is considered a blessing, a gift from God. But those blessings demand a lot from their parents don’t they? Late night feedings, dirty diapers, uncontrollable crying, did I mention late night feedings? Blessings require something of us don’t they? I know what some of you might be thinking: “Maybe I don’t want to be blessed.”

Now the reason I bring all of this up is because God is clearly blessing our church family. We have an incredible renovation-taking place to our building. We have new faces visit each week and a lot of them are sticking around, even choosing to be a part of our family. People are making decisions to enter into a covenant relationship with Jesus. The list could go on, but I think you get the picture—God is blessing our church. But each of these blessings requires something of you. We have a building that needs work done on it to complete its makeover. We will need continued muscle to keep it sharp and ready for action. We have more adults and kids to minister to. All of these things will require our time, energy, and love. Oh, and along the way we will have bumps, bruises, scraps, hurt feelings, spills to clean, and things to fix. But isn’t that what ministry is all about? Isn’t that what we have been praying for? Isn’t that what our purpose is?

So here is a practical plan of action. When you get down on your knees to clean up the carpet, thank God that He has blessed our church with people to get it dirty. When the preacher’s kids dart in front of you (let me know, they’re not supposed to be doing that), thank God that we have kids in our building to dart. When you see a glaring need in our ministry lineup, thank God that He has given you the ability to fill that need. I’m sure that you get the picture. So join me in digging down a little deeper with time, energy, patience and love. Oh yeah, don’t forget to thank God for His blessings! God is good, all the time!