Generosity as Freedom From Being Overwhelmed

Sometimes I look around at all that is broken in the world. There are some big, big problems out there. I am just one small person among the multitudes. At times, it can be easier to just focus on the things in front of me that I can control. It is as though I have forgotten that my God created the earth and everything in it. I have forgotten that he can do more than I could ever ask or imagine. I have forgotten what he can do through me.

If the God who created the entire earth is offering to show me great things beyond my wildest dreams (Jeremiah 33:2–3), I want to be courageous enough to accept that invitation. If he who created the earth also has a plan to restore it, that plan could include each of us... What if he created each of us with a special way to interact with that plan – a special way to see the world and special gifts to offer it? That would mean it requires me to be brave enough to ask him to show me the great and amazing things, and to show me how I can take part.

When I am brave enough to call out and ask God to reveal these things to me, I see I am drawn to issues that I may not have even known existed and a passion rises up within me – a drive to do something about it. As I continue to seek him in prayer, he reveals to me what I have to offer. Generosity isn’t stale or stagnant. Far from it. It is a journey that births creativity. Creativity releases possibility, and possibility leads to new life.

Remind yourself of Jesus’ promise in Matthew 7:7: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.’ Perhaps you could spend some time prayer journaling with God today, asking him about the deeper passions and purposes he has for your life.

This journey of discovery is more fun with friends. At Generosity Path, we provide video content to facilitate conversations between you and your friends around generosity. These films are totally free and never ask you for money or promote a cause. We want create spaces for conversations, so that you and your friends can encourage each other to accept God’s invitation, join together in awe of what he is doing, and celebrate his incredible generosity. As one participant told us, ‘I’ve heard people talk about finding your purpose and I’ve heard people say you should be generous, but I never knew the two could go together. For the first time ever, I am excited to engage in generosity because I’ve realised it can be fuelled by all of the things I love!’

If you'd like to host a conversation with your friends about connecting your own purpose with your passions, check out our website at generositypath.org.