"Has Covid-19 been a blessing to you this year? What does Spiritual Prosperity mean to you?"
These were two of four penetrating questions following part of our study of the Old Testament book of Haggai. As I listened to the evaluations given by more than 20 persons, I came away amazed by the work of the Holy Spirit in our congregation, which is located in the Toronto area. Here are some of the answers (I wish I could share all the answers from an amazing evening that began to sound like revival. Here are some of the quotes, shortened because of limited space.)
- These are uncomfortable questions because they force us to think deeply about life, blessings, and joy.
-I'm at peace during Covid-19. I've been helping many people, mostly shut-ins, get food. Never have I worried about God's provision and care. This has been a joyful year for me.
-Blessings within a church have to start with what happens to individuals. If each of us is blessed, or growing in the Lord, this will have a spill-over effect in the congregation.
-I've been blessed. Peace and the filling of the Holy Spirit is an actual reality, even when I spend most days in my home. My walk with the Lord is one of a peaceful heart.
-Never have I been in a fellowship where we have had so much prayer. Our fellowship has developed prayer times with earnest intercession. I don't hear, "God, just bless so and so." No, we have an in-depth consideration of individuals based on close relationships. We pray for the needs they or family members are experiencing. We don't merely list names in the church bulletin. Disciplined and careful consideration of the weakest ones in our midst has become almost a day-by-day experience.
-Covid is causing us to express what's really in our hearts. Just as the people in Haggai's day had sort of forgotten about the needs of God's work at the temple, I think our lives have become sort of complacent in the past few years.
-In answering this question, I've heard the following words to describe us right now: peace, focus, no fear, contentment, worship, love, lots of music in the home, Kingdom of God, character-building, body of Christ, change of attitude and anticipation for our community. We value the women who are prayer warriors. Also, those who speak words of wisdom on our Zoom calls. Then we have some who are really engaged with our community, with the homeless, those needing food, those with special needs, and shut-ins. Thanks to those who keep the Zoom controls going so we can all participate.
-I've heard several people talking about learning to be more generous, not so much "interested in what I can get out of things for myself in life." We've been asked about Spiritual Prosperity this evening. To me, real Prosperity isn't measured in getting a bigger house, a better car, or nicer clothes. It's learning to use the word "we" more than "I." It's seeing how much we can give away. Our efforts to raise food for the local food bank are one example. Another is the community drive to send useful things like clothes, tools, household items to Columbia through the container that Latin American Mission is filling up.
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