to be a blessing

If there's one thing I've learned in the past week, it's that there is a lot of hurt in the world, even in the world around North Arlington, a re-gentrifying city if ever there was one. The houses are beautiful. The gardens are plenty. More and more people are looking for a shorter commute into Washington, and this drives up the demand for housing on this side of the Potomac. Beautiful houses are being built and beautiful condos. Wealth is everywhere. Trendy restaurants, stylishly dressed young professionals, expensive cars. On the outside, everything looks fine, even more-than-fine...outwardly blessed.
As this congregation's new pastor, I'm listening to the life histories of many people connected with the church. Some indeed record more than their share of blessings...interesting careers, successful businesses, many years of marital happiness, smiling children. But there is much to morn, too,--betrayal, anger, abuse of self and others, disappointment, estrangement.
My sermon this morning was about the call of Abram/Abraham, and his response to God's promise of blessing. God promised that he would be blessed so that he would be a blessing. God's promise of blessing to Abraham was not just for Abraham's sake, but for the purpose of blessing the rest of the world.
The rest of the story is a story about God's promises of blessing, and the threats to that promise. It's not a clear cut path to individual happiness, but God doesn't give up on us. What if we, too, are blessed in order that we be a blessing? What if stepping out in faith is meant for passing along God's blessing?
Everyone's story has a joyous side and a tragic side. Why has God given us such a range of experiences? Maybe we can't know, but we can pass along those blessings given to us. And maybe that's what faith is for.
North Arlington has a multitude of blessings. Church of the Covenant, how can we pass along those blessings?