In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.

Devotion based on 2 Corinthians 8:2

In his book Run with the Horses, author Eugene Peterson describes what he once saw on the shore of a lake. Three young swallows were sitting on a dead branch that stretched out over the water. As Peterson watched, an adult swallow got alongside the chicks and began shoving each one off the branch. The one on the end of the branch fell first. But before it hit the water, its wings came to life, and away it flew. The same thing happened with the next young swallow. The third chick, however, was stubborn. No matter how hard the adult swallow shoved, the chick hung on for dear life. Even when it fell forward and was hanging upside down, the young swallow refused to let go. Finally, the adult began pecking at the little one’s feet until it was too painful to hold on. The chick released its grip and began to fall. And then it started to fly. It finally began to do what it was meant to do.

God calls upon us to be generous givers and lavish in giving to others what he has given to us. But often, you and I can be like that third chick. Whether out of fear, doubt, or stubbornness, it’s easy to cling to what is familiar and hold on to what we think will give us security. But if we are forever clutching the things God intends for us to share—we will always be like a sad, terrified bird clinging for dear life to a dead branch. We will never know the joy of true generosity. We will never fly.

Oh, how vitally important Jesus is for us! He came to this earth and lived a life of unbridled generosity on our behalf. He lives to give us the power to live for him. When necessary, he will shove us off our branch to do so and allow pain and trouble to disrupt our sleepy comfort. And it is often during those unpleasant periods of freefall that Jesus will re-teach us the sweet joy of a generous life. He will refresh us and spread our wings of generosity. And we will fly.

Prayer: