God's Stimulus Plan. - Part 7
An economy that provides needs, produces freedom, builds community, and passes the best values down from generation to generation.
The role of Hope in building community
Real hope has the history of inspiring great action within people. Without real hope, communities crumble. So where does real hope come from. And further more, how does God use hope to build communities? How do we as individuals become fueled by hope and inspire it into those around us?
Real hope must be based on truth and faith and action. Pipe dreams are short lived and start with high energy and end in disillusionment.
It was a small boy who gave possibly one of the best object lessons in economics and hope of written history. It was probably hot in the middle of the day where a large crowd of 5000 had gathered to hear the healer speak. They had traveled from near and far to see for themselves this man who claimed to be the messiah. There were no conveniently placed fast food restaurants or ways to take care of the crowd. The disciples reverted to worrying about how the crowd had grown hungry and how would they be able to feed them. One young boy, not yet acustomed to the patterns of fear and doubt, simply decided to offer the lunch he had with him to Jesus. Imagine the thoughts going through the disciples mind. .....
"nice gesture kid, but this is a bigger problem than you can see. Keep your food and hide!"
Jesus sensing the chance to teach an object lesson for all time about His promise and provision chose to take the young man's offering and prayed over it. What happened next baffles logic and teaches us much about God's heart of provision and community. He simply showed how concerned He was for the community of people., and what a simple act of faith and generosity would accomplish in the hands of the creator. Hope was realized, needs were met by the response of our Lord to child-like faith.
We all, like that young boy, have gifts, goods, and time that we can invest into the life of another through the spirit of God . The results will be multiplied. God desires our hearts have faith in His promises and to offer him what seems like the little we have to see Him do amazing things.
We also have a lot to give those coming behind us and watching. The faith we place in God is often used in the lives of others to allow a glimpse of God's faithfulness Hebrews 11 talks about the people who demonstrated their faith in God's promises as an example for us to follow, and we too must demonstrate the courage to trust God for his promises for the sake of each generation. That is how we pass it on.
I hope these words have encouraged you to dig deep in tough times and to put your trust in the faithful God who has reached out to you.
God bless and pass this on.
His Servant,
Jeff
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