Curtis and his Great Puppy Adventure. That was the lunchtime talk around our office when one of our team members became the proud owner of eight new puppies - thanks to his trusty dog, Sister. Each day seemed to bring a new episode - especially as Curtis would compare the way of the puppy with the ways of people. He told us one day about trying to replenish their food. His intention was to load up their container with lots of good things. But they made it very difficult. The puppies were too busy fighting over two little pieces that were left in the container.
Well, I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You about "Guarding My Morsel, Missing The Meal."
Our word for today from the Word of God comes from Psalm 133:1. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity, it is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life forevermore."
God says, "I've got so many good things I want to give you." Notice when He gives it - when we "live together in unity." I wonder how often God feels a little like my friend Curtis did when He wanted to pour out good things for his puppies - "I want to, but you all are getting in the way. You're too busy fighting over a little piece for yourself."
It happens in marriages - God wants to do some wonderful things in and for a couple, but they are focused on each defending their territory in the marriage. God wants to bless some parents and children - but they're too busy staking out their ground, trying to get their way. When people are just fighting for what they think are their rights, their way, the Lord just can't give them all He wants them to have. He responds to people working together, not working separately. To people looking out for each other, not just looking out for themselves.
This same preoccupation with "my stuff" limits God's blessing on ministries and churches, too. Where Christian leaders are only concerned with their turf, their work, their needs, the atmosphere is stressful, self-centered, even cold. If they only knew what power and joy they could have with God's unhindered blessing on them. But their living way below what could be because there isn't the unselfishness and unity that God says He will bless.
Even whole communities are missing God's outpouring because churches and ministries and leaders are not working together. Again, each one is fighting for their program, their budget, their territory - and God simply turns away and says, "If you only knew what could happen in your town if you could ever get together."
Those crazy puppies - they missed so much because they were so busy only caring about their own little piece. Just like us. Would you be willing to release your rights, your interests, your little piece - and let God pour out all the good things He's been wanting to give you?