But Such As I Give To You!
I recently had to plan a set of short and long term goals for a project I am currently working on. Pertaining to finance I had to map these goals using 'SMART' criteria in order to make them (Specific - Measurable - Attainable - Realistic and Timely). I began by assessing my finances which meant calculating my net worth, the difference of what I owed from what I owned. Just the thought of putting this information on paper scared me. The sums did not look pretty and the more I juggled them and doctored them, the truth is it did not look good. Being specific on what I wanted to achieve was the easiest part, the challenge lay in how I was to attain them over the time-frame I had locked in with what I had left, and the shortfall I needed to recoup to help close the gap. God knows I need a miracle to achieve some or any of these long term goals!

Call me crazy and delusional but it's in situations like these when my "faith-o-meter" kicks in and starts to rev. Whose report will I believe? Against what should I benchmark my financial status? Who holds the keys to my future? In whose Name do I place my Hope, my Trust, and my resources? You see I take very seriously what God has to say over my life, for He is the one who formed me and knew me while He knit me together in my mother's womb and the plans He has for me always trumps whatever situation I am in. I do not navigate life from some chart or graph that plots the highs and lows of my existence, my resources and the direction in which I should go. "Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His Holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the Name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright!" Psalm 20:6-8. In order for my faith to work it has to believe past the unseen and the unknown because all of my days are undergirded and underpinned in Gods everlasting promises, in His Bosom and in the shelter of His wings!

Acts 3 transports me to the gate where the lame man begged for alms (money, food or any items given to the poor). Peter and John were heading to the temple to pray and seeing them, the lame man asked to receive alms. Let's reflect on the expectations of this man. Lame from birth and having ritualistically positioned himself at the temple gate, he habitually begged for alms, he sought a temporary 'get-me-by' fix and failed to tap into or recognize the promises and benefits of God that lay within those temple walls and from those who entered them. Beckoning Peter and John was a routine call for help or was it? Peter looked at him intently and said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!" And he took him by the right hand and raised him up and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God!" Acts 3: 6-8. He received His healing on the spot, He became a witness to all who recognized him as the lame beggar. He entered the temple with thanksgiving and praise.

How tragic to be seated within reach of a place of worship, where God resides and miracles and wonders are waiting to be performed yet remain unchanged? This miracle could only have stirred and kindled from Peter's radical faith. You see Peter broke the curse of the man's expectation, of the man's limited thinking and lack of belief for more. Peter offered Him Jesus! What Peter possessed within - the unstinting anointed presence and power of God out-priced and out valued any amount of alms they could offer him. It's the same faith that propelled Peter to leave behind his fishing trade and follow Jesus. This is the manifestation of Jesus' promise over Peter's life. "Follow me and I will make you fishers of men" Jesus directed. What a powerful demonstration of empowerment and fulfilment, for Peter, for the lame man and all who witnessed this miracle. God always makes good on His promises. Is my 'silver and gold' going to hold any value or worth against the "But such as I have, I give to you" endowment from God? Friends it's a challenge, a provocation on our faith. Peter sowed the seed of his life into following Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk!