In yesterday’s devotional I said that you were born to bless. In a world where many people aren’t sure if they’re here on this earth on purpose or by chance, followers of Jesus can be confident that God has put us here for a reason.

So let’s flush out what it means to “bless” someone. It’s to show kindness or grace; it is an others-focused extension of the love that we have received in Christ.

God is a God of love. Christ died in our place. He reconciled us to God—forever. He provides us with strength, hope, comfort, encouragement, trustworthy promises, and eternity. He gives us his Holy Spirit. Since we have been recipients of this kind of colossal love, we strive to share it with others.

In Luke 6:28: Jesus says to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” In 1 Corinthians 4:12-13 Paul states: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly.”

Blessing people—even in situations of hardship—is a powerful thing. How in the world is it possible? First, because we have first been blessed by God. Second, because the Holy Spirit helps us.

When you pour water into a cup and there is more water than the cup can hold, what happens? It overflows. This is how it works with love.

I recently got a thoughtful card in the mail. It was a blessing. Someone else said they were going to pray for me. That too was a blessing. Another person took something off my plate at the last minute (in a way which made my day easier). It was also a blessing.

Small. Big. Simple. Profound. You were born to bless. 

It’s showing kindness or grace—an others-focused extension of the love that we have first received in Christ.

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Notes and extra content:

—NEW PODCAST: “How spiritual disciplines help you love others—a talk with Jeff Loach.” What if God had given us things to do which would make us more like Jesus and actually help us love others? He has!

In this interview, Jeff Loach  provides background on key spiritual disciplines, how they shape you, and how they help you love others. Jeff is an adjunct professor of spiritual formation at Tyndale Seminary, a pastor, the former central Ontario District Director for the Canadian Bible Society, and an oblate of the Order of St. Benedict.

You can access it on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan,’ or click here to listen directly or to watch on YouTube.

–“Why was I born?” Sermon. October 20, 2024. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.