I'm not really a fan of reality television. And mostly I think the name of the category "reality tv" is a misnomer. Most reality television isn't reality. Partially because the cameras effect the real life. I mean, really, if you had a camera watching you, you would act different, you would. But there is another aspect of reality television that is interesting. The reality shows that we love to watch says something about us. What reality shows do you like? "The Bachelor" communicates that we have a really skewed view of courtship. "COPS" might say that we like seeing other people's messes because it makes us feel better about our own messes. "American Pickers" could communicate that we love to see junk, something with seemingly no value at all, become worth something when brought into the light. I could go on, but along those same lines "Hoarders" says something profound and disturbing about our culture. It too, in a way, makes us feel better about what we hoard, because the people featured are extreme cases. But we all hoard, don't we? Are you uncomfortable yet?
I think the American church has a hoarding sickness. We want the blessing of God. We ask for the blessing of God. We ask again for God to bless us. But most of us never seek to pass that blessing on. Have you ever wondered why it is that you ask for God to bless you and feel like He isn't, can't, or won't? Perhaps it's because he already has and you need to pour out some blessing before there is room to be blessed again. Perhaps.
Consider a few scriptures with me. Ephesians 1:3 says, "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ." Our cup of blessing is filled, having been fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Genesis 12:1-3 is the call of Abram. Notice the Language. "The LORD had said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 'I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.'” God's blessing is never meant to be hoarded, kept to ourselves. Anything that is hoarded eventually destroys. God's blessing is meant to be used to bless others.
Do you want to be blessed? Do you want to be continually blessed? If you look for God's blessing, then bless others. God has blessed you, bless others. Then you will be blessed, and you can continue to bless. It's a beautiful cycle.
That's the kind of reality the church needs to live out.
Humbly,
Dave
