There are many who need encouragement, a helping hand, a kind word, or simply a hug. Many who need a blessing brought into their life. Can you perhaps be the one to be a blessing to another?
However . . .
. . . "We Must Live Deeply Ourselves if we Would be able to Bless Others"
"We must bear trials and endure sorrows with patience, with submission, and with faith, so as to be victorious, if we would become comforters and helpers of others in their trials. You must learn before you can teach, and the learning costs.
At no small price can we become true helpers of others in this world. That which cost us nothing in the getting will not be any great blessing to any other person in the giving. It is only when we lose our life, sacrifice it to God, that we become deeply and truly useful."
In Green Pastures by J.R. Miller D.D
This quote is from a devotional book which I read each morning. Many times the reading has brought a thought or encouragement which I needed for that particular day. The last sentence in particular of this reading reminds me of the verse from Luke_9:24:
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it." (KJV)
So What Actually Does it Mean to Lose ones Life and to Live Deeply?
Is it just enduring trials and sorrows patiently? How can we do that anyway? And submission - that word doesn't bring delight to me or you, I'm sure. However, J.R. Miller adds the words "with faith so as to be victorious". And he is not talking about any kind of faith but faith in the risen Lord Jesus. That kind of faith and living deeply costs. Jesus spoke about cost in the above reading from Luke (losing ones life for His sake) and here below He talks about digging deep:
"Whosoever cometh to me [Jesus], and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:Â
He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock."Â Luke 6:47-48(KJV)
To live deeply is to have faith in Jesus but a faith which is living and active, a faith that seeks after Jesus, delving into His word, wanting to hear from Him and desiring to do what He says. I had to walk the road of submission, being willing to submit not only myself but my husband and children to the Lord. If this had not been my desire prior to my husbands sudden and shocking passing I would not have known the presence, comfort and grace I experienced from being founded upon that rock.
My book, "Beloved" shows forth the faithfulness of God to someone who has dug deep into God's Word, who understands that the gift of eternal life in Jesus is given freely but yet costs your whole life and commitment as His amazing sacrifice is understood a little bit more. And through sorrow and trial, continuing to dig deep into Jesus the book shows the comfort and power given to me to live victoriously.
Through my trials and sorrows I hope comfort and encouragement can be given to others, especially through the book, "Beloved". And may you through your trials, faith in Jesus, and deep living also bring blessings to others.