Pressed Down And Shaken Together

I've been asked a number of times recently to account for my positive attitude. On the surface, to many my situation seems dire, and I refuse to expound upon it. In truth, I can't completely explain my belief that my automatic response of, "I've just never had it so good," to queries about my life will actually make everything better.

I suppose it is a result of my "having had a spiritual awakening." As I have come to understand such awakenings, they are best examined in the light of the results they produce in a life. The proof of the awakening is the result of the awakening.

My admission of powerlessness and decision to pursue the spiritual solution has led me on a path more gratifying than I'd dreamed or imagined. It began with the gift of hope borne of desperation. Hope has made me a man of passion and compassion. It has allowed me to re-prioritize my personal and public life.

My faith in God, belief in His son Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit has made a number of spiritual principles manifest n my life. Chief among those today is that I cannot out-give God. And He demonstrates that to me in so many ways.

In seeking recovery from alcoholism and addiction, were I to have received only sobriety I would have been overpaid for my efforts. But through a regular practice of the twelfth step, my spiritual awakening my spiritual awakening continues to expand and fill my world, actually crowds me out of that universe of one, nudging me into His world. And in His world, the limit exceeds my sky.

"'Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.'" (Malachi 3:10) I'd read that passage before, drunk and sober, and never been willing to take God up on His offer. After all, it seemed arrogant to stand before the Creator of the Universe and call His bluff.

"Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38) I realize that my limitation in receiving God's blessings has been my own definition of my measure.

I've always assumed that God's measurement and mine (the world's, perhaps?) were the same device; money. After all, isn't that what I hear people, churches, agencies, governments clamoring for? How wrong could I have been? Check back tomorrow and I'll fill you in.