AMPERSAND

Life expands or contracts in direct proportion to our response to opportunity.  The bounty hunter is keen enough to recognise that not all opportunities look like opportunities.  In fact, the critical ones rarely do.

I would say that most opportunities look more like inconveniences.  I’ve also found that saying, “Yes” to those unglamorous requests opens big blessed doors in the future.

Open hands to give are also open hands to receive.

One of my all time favourite life lessons is a passage written about Abraham in Genesis 18.  He is resting in the door of his tent after a somewhat invasive task carried out on him and his household.

I don’t know about you, but there have been times where the call of God has worn me out.  Maybe you know the feeling. You’re tired, and I’m not talking about the end-of-the-day tired.  I’m talking about you wake up in the morning tired.  You do your days, tired.  You smile at people in the street, tired.  You encourage those around you, tired.  You’re tired and no one knows you’re tired.

The cost of your obedience has been great.  You’re hurting!  You’re uncomfortable! And all you want to do is sit back and rest!  I want to tell you that this is the most important time in your life!  What you do now is crucial.

That promise you think is over and beyond your reach is so close.  Like Abraham’s promised son that still had not been conceived after so many years, that promise God spoke to you about and hasn’t come to pass, yes THAT promise - it’s nearer than you think!

When you’re uncomfortable and you feel like you’ve given all you can, that is the perfect time to watch carefully for a God-opportunity in disguise.

Abraham is sitting at the door of his tent resting.  I must say rest is wise, reflection is wholesome, and pause brings health.  Life is less a marathon and more like a series of sprints.  Seize the moments of rejuvenating rest.

He is resting and he sees his next “sprint” on the crest of the horizon.  There are three men at a distance. The response of this tired, disappointed old man astounds me every time.  Some of the phrases we read in those few scriptures say that Abraham runs out to meet them, begs them to stay, urges Sarah to “quickly make a choice meal”.  Then he runs to the herd and hastens to prepare the best calf for a meal.

I call this desperate generosity and genuine worship.

I’m generous not because I’m desperate but I’m desperate to be generous on any and every occasion. 

What is your response in a moment of discomfort, pain, and tiredness?  When you’ve given all you can!  You’re spent.  And ANOTHER opportunity for generosity presents itself – what do you do?

Desperate generosity is true worship. A default of generous worship builds a reputation for you in the Heavenlies.

Scripture tells us multiple times that God searches across the whole Earth looking for His worshippers.  I want to ask you, does he find one at your place?

Entertain this thought for a moment; God knows what kind of reception He will receive when He visits you.  

Gen 18: 5

And I will bring a morsel (mouthful) of bread to refresh and sustain your hearts before you go on further--for that is why you have come to your servant. And they replied, Do as you have said.

Did you just see that?  The three men knew they would be looked after at Abraham’s place.  And Abraham knew that they knew.  Abraham told them he’d only get some water and a mouthful of bread but he went to craft them a feast! 

This is close to home for me.  I’m Polish and you really can’t out-do a European when it comes to hospitality (can I get an “Amen”?). 

When you come to my house there’s going to be too much food, and if you offer to bring anything I’ll probably decline not because I don’t want you to but because is goes against all I’ve been taught about hospitality.  (I know - my husband agrees with you.  I should relax!)

I’ve had to adjust over time to accept the Australian BYO culture but I do remember one time receiving an invitation to a party that stated, “Come celebrate Jo* with us.  Bring your own picnic blanket, chairs, drinks, snacks, salads and meat for the barbeque”.  I was in a state of shock!

Here’s my point: some people want God to visit them, but they’re expecting Him to BYO.  I desperately want to be known in Heaven as a great host, a worshipper, a generous lover of God and His people.  It unsettles me to think that God would willingly bypass my place if He were "hungry".

Undoubtedly our almighty Saviour King is not lacking in resource, but He is wanting to see where the hearts of generosity and worship reside.  He wants to know so that He can bless in response. 

Abraham had a reputation of being desperately generous and an ultimate worshipper, so when God was looking for a meal, He knew whom to visit.  We read that after the meal, not before (intentions don’t count), the three men were suddenly one – God – and He spoke a phenomenal blessing over Abraham’s household.

Not many of the opportunities presented to me in life have come in the mail, or on a silver platter or wrapped in a bow.  Admittedly, a few were proposed nicely over lunch, but those were always consequences of previous responses I’d made choosing to go the extra mile and do what almost everyone else was trying to avoid.

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” Thomas Eddison

I decided long, long ago that I would eradicate the word “No” from my list of possible responses.  The truth is I don’t know which request crossing my path is really an opportunity to host God Himself; He often comes in cover. 

So I’ve decided to say, “Yes”, but I’ve also decided to take it one step further.  I have committed by heart to the precious little symbol  & .

Not only, “Yes, I will do that”
But, “Yes  &  I will make it outstanding!”

That sweet ampersand heaves my life out of mediocrity and into the second mile – both the second mile of investment and the second mile of favour.  It transforms my YES from obligation and duty into ownership and anticipation.  That tiny ampersand expands the world in me, for me and around me.  

The ampersand, a bounty hunter's trade secret. 

&

ampersand

ˈampəsand/

noun

noun: ampersand; plural noun: ampersands

the sign & (standing for and)

[Inspired by Samuel R. Chand, Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code   &  Genesis 18: 1-11   &  Matthew 25: 23   &   Luke 16: 10   &  Psalm 50: 10-12   &  Matthew 5: 41 & 42]