Genesis 12:1 The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
I usually modify verse 2 to read “I will bless you…and you will be a blessing.” I don’t think that changes the essential meaning, and I like the sentiment. Naturally, the idea of “Blessed to be a blessing” flows from it, a saying I also like. However, of late, I’ve had trouble with any form of the expression “We are so blessed.” It makes me cringe.
Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
I think my issue is that that expression often feels exclusionary. WE are so blessed, implying that maybe YOU aren’t, especially if you don’t have the same good fortune in whatever area we are sharing on social media that caused my exclamation in the first place. I have started trying to say, instead of “blessed,” the words thankful or grateful because at its heart, that’s what we are–just so incredibly glad that God showed His love in that particular way at that moment.
Genesis 12:3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Precious Savior, We are all so very blessed–because we have You as our Savior, because we have air in our lungs, because we have the ability to be kind to each other and to try again another day if today doesn’t go so well. Help us work on being thankful and grateful for these things. Help us not to use the term “blessed” as some exclusionary badge of honor but as a reminder to be thankful and grateful for Your provisions. Always. Amen.
Genesis 12:4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.
Have a blessed day.