The Beginner's Gift
I pray God's blessing in your life wherever you are, and that you can live out this entire week with the beginner's gift.
Season 4, Episode 24 · The Beginner's Gift
Play the original Excel Still More episode here without leaving the article.
The story behind the idea
Do you remember what it was like when you first became a Christian? I was really young, but I remember looking at myself in the mirror after I'd gone back to change clothes, thinking, this is the single most amazing thing that's ever happened to me. From here I will be blessed by God and I will get to teach lessons and do great things.
What stands out
It reminds us of who we once were and can help us be like that again, whether it be spreading the gospel to others or just making your marriage great again. The best thing I can do is tell you some of the unique qualities of beginners that is admirable for us all so that you can go out and try those things. To do that, I'll share with you an old testament story about two characters.
Why it matters
There is a little servant girl from Israel who tells her master that there is someone back home who can heal him. He asks his king if he can go, packs up all sorts of riches, and heads to the people of God. He goes to the Israelite king who's unable to help him, and eventually the prophet Elisha sends word to him saying, God has seen you, and if you will go and dip yourself in the river, seven times you will be cleansed.
A faithful way forward
Just the idea that life could get better, that someone could heal him, set him on a journey that changed his life. He was desperate enough to listen to some slave girl, to pack up all of his goods and go to the Israelites of all people. He set out to begin something that would change everything.
Put it into practice
There's a guy named Gehazi who was a servant of Elisha. He knew God, he was faithful to God, he'd seen God do amazing things, but he had lost a lot of what Naaman had found. Naaman was desperate for something better, and yet Gehazi seemed entitled, as if he felt like he deserved something. You might remember that he went to Naaman and lied and said that Elisha had sent him to get some gifts for some servants.
Take the idea with you.
- 01What idea from this study most needs my attention right now?
- 02Where does this challenge the way I am currently thinking or living?
- 03What is one faithful step I can take this week?
Prefer listening?
The original episode player is available near the top of this article, so you can listen without leaving the page.