This is a really good post, very freeing. I'm in the northeast, so out of the way of this storm, but I've been thinking about blessings. My mom recently put her house on the market, the house in which I grew up. I've been thinking that having grown up in a house is a big blessing, something that not everyone has. I've also had some tragedies happen in my life, losses that not everyone else has experienced. I struggle with the concept of thankfulness, because if there's something I have to be thankful for, it means, someone else didn't get.
Hi Lila! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Since I wrote this, I've been thinking about how there are some "blessings" that automatically result in someone else's loss, but there are others that don't take anything away from anyone else. For example, if someone goes out of their way to tell me how much they appreciate me and my work (such as by leaving a comment!), that doesn't mean that someone else receives less appreciation. In fact, the giver also benefits (increased sense of well-being), and it might actually lead to more appreciation in the future from one or both of us. So it's a win-win-win. I think that is God's economy: not a zero-sum game where one person's gain is someone else's loss but a cooperative, symbiotic relationship where "blessings" bless everyone and curse no one. I don't know if that makes sense, but my main point for you is that I don't think it's accurate to say that everything you might be thankful for is also something that someone else had to miss. That's true sometimes. But even so, I think we're called to be thankful for everything. It's ok to be thankful and at the same time feel compassion for those who are not as fortunate. We can hold both simultaneously! My point in this piece is simply that we should attribute good fortune to God's will in situations where our fortune is someone else's loss.
Yes, this is true. Instead of a win-lose way of looking at it, it's more like a symbiotic relationship. Everything working together for good. The economy of salvation, it's a tricky theological concept to describe, but one implicit in so many of Jesus' parables.
We can accept the good and forgive the bad and keep paying it forward.
Reminds me of when I first came to faith in the mid-2000's. There were all these terrible floods that tore across the Midwest. The culture wars were at their height, and preachers everywhere were railing against the big cities. Meanwhile, the Midwest was getting hammered, while NY and San Francisco went untouched.
Also, alot of New Yorkers have moved South to find a lower cost of living. I bet they aren't feeling so good about that choice right now.
Mara! I loved this. A little fun fact which you may already know—rain is actually a symbol for God’s blessing throughout the Bible and in the Matthew 5:45 verse you mentioned. Rain = blessing in a lot of psalms as well. It’s a symbol of refreshment and I assume in an agrarian culture (like Bible times) a clear sign of God’s blessing. Obviously the absolute chaos caused by this hurricane is not a blessing but just thought that was an interesting added layer to your thoughts on how being “blessed” doesn’t mean avoiding suffering. Anyways, great thoughts here! Glad your family is doing well under the circumstances 🫶🏼
Yes! I thought that was an interesting reversal of sorts, using that Bible verse in the context of a hurricane causing devastating flooding. Even the "blessing" (rain) can become a "curse" if it goes too far or falls in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Of course, I don't think that human perspective of God's actions in Bible times or any times is necessary accurate, so even if they considered that a sign of God's favor, that doesn't prove it was God's special intervention, at least in my interpretation. The God I know and that I see in the words and actions of Jesus doesn't take from some to give to others. He operates on a different economy. But ultimately, the details are all a mystery--only God's love and faithfulness (and a few other related points!) are absolutely clear.
Your post Mara is one of the most succinct and grace-filled explanations I’ve read theologically on this. Much appreciation.
Oh, wow! Thank you so much, Beth! I'm so glad you found it helpful.
#blessed is just not good theology, no matter what team you bat for. Thank you for this thoughtful post. ❤️
100%! I think that might be God's least favorite hashtag . . . Thank you for reading!
A lovely, powerful message. I will forward it to your cousins (my kids)
Alison
This is a really good post, very freeing. I'm in the northeast, so out of the way of this storm, but I've been thinking about blessings. My mom recently put her house on the market, the house in which I grew up. I've been thinking that having grown up in a house is a big blessing, something that not everyone has. I've also had some tragedies happen in my life, losses that not everyone else has experienced. I struggle with the concept of thankfulness, because if there's something I have to be thankful for, it means, someone else didn't get.
Hi Lila! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic. Since I wrote this, I've been thinking about how there are some "blessings" that automatically result in someone else's loss, but there are others that don't take anything away from anyone else. For example, if someone goes out of their way to tell me how much they appreciate me and my work (such as by leaving a comment!), that doesn't mean that someone else receives less appreciation. In fact, the giver also benefits (increased sense of well-being), and it might actually lead to more appreciation in the future from one or both of us. So it's a win-win-win. I think that is God's economy: not a zero-sum game where one person's gain is someone else's loss but a cooperative, symbiotic relationship where "blessings" bless everyone and curse no one. I don't know if that makes sense, but my main point for you is that I don't think it's accurate to say that everything you might be thankful for is also something that someone else had to miss. That's true sometimes. But even so, I think we're called to be thankful for everything. It's ok to be thankful and at the same time feel compassion for those who are not as fortunate. We can hold both simultaneously! My point in this piece is simply that we should attribute good fortune to God's will in situations where our fortune is someone else's loss.
Yes, this is true. Instead of a win-lose way of looking at it, it's more like a symbiotic relationship. Everything working together for good. The economy of salvation, it's a tricky theological concept to describe, but one implicit in so many of Jesus' parables.
We can accept the good and forgive the bad and keep paying it forward.
Reminds me of when I first came to faith in the mid-2000's. There were all these terrible floods that tore across the Midwest. The culture wars were at their height, and preachers everywhere were railing against the big cities. Meanwhile, the Midwest was getting hammered, while NY and San Francisco went untouched.
Also, alot of New Yorkers have moved South to find a lower cost of living. I bet they aren't feeling so good about that choice right now.
Mara! I loved this. A little fun fact which you may already know—rain is actually a symbol for God’s blessing throughout the Bible and in the Matthew 5:45 verse you mentioned. Rain = blessing in a lot of psalms as well. It’s a symbol of refreshment and I assume in an agrarian culture (like Bible times) a clear sign of God’s blessing. Obviously the absolute chaos caused by this hurricane is not a blessing but just thought that was an interesting added layer to your thoughts on how being “blessed” doesn’t mean avoiding suffering. Anyways, great thoughts here! Glad your family is doing well under the circumstances 🫶🏼
Yes! I thought that was an interesting reversal of sorts, using that Bible verse in the context of a hurricane causing devastating flooding. Even the "blessing" (rain) can become a "curse" if it goes too far or falls in the wrong place or at the wrong time. Of course, I don't think that human perspective of God's actions in Bible times or any times is necessary accurate, so even if they considered that a sign of God's favor, that doesn't prove it was God's special intervention, at least in my interpretation. The God I know and that I see in the words and actions of Jesus doesn't take from some to give to others. He operates on a different economy. But ultimately, the details are all a mystery--only God's love and faithfulness (and a few other related points!) are absolutely clear.