Sharing Back

by Darla Noble

Who his own self bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

Doctors, the general community, and to some extent, even Helen Keller’s own parents were ready to give up on the blind, deaf, and mute two year-old. But Annie Sullivan, the toddler’s nanny, saw past Helen’s disabilities to the intelligence and determined spirit buried beneath all of that.

With Annie’s help Helen overcame countless obstacles and went on to work diligently for social welfare and for help and equal rights for others who were disabled. Helen shared back the love and encouragement she was given so that others might experience the same.

The apostle Paul was just one of many in the Bible given a second chance. Jesus called Saul (later renamed Paul) away from a life of sin that included persecution of Christians to a life of service. Paul’s gratitude for this second chance was exhibited time and again by his sharing back the grace extended to him with others. In sharing back Paul gave countless others the opportunity to hear the Gospel and accept Christ as their Savior, too.

There is nothing we can give God that He didn’t give us first. But by sharing back we make it possible for others to experience God’s blessings, too.

Pray: God, thank You for all You have given me. Make me a worthy recipient of Your blessings and one that shares them back with You and those around me. In the name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.