If one day you were approached by someone who said that from now on he would take care of all of your needs -clothes, food, house payments, vehicle repairs, etc. - how would you react? There wouldn't be thing that you would ever need. You would never have another need for a single penny; nothing would be lacking.

And then, on top of this, this person says that they're going to give you a million dollars to be given away in increments of 10,000. You keep none of it; there's no need for you to. You aren't lacking for anything and never will again. You would never need this money. So, who would you give it to?

I'd probably first go to my family and give them each the sum allotted. And then to my friends. Next my acquaintances, and then,.... who? Probably those that I would just meet and have a few minutes to be friendly with. The stipulation is that the money has to be given away personally, and it has to be done. You'd have to look hard to continue choosing who to give it to.

What would the reaction of others be - especially the strangers - when you just suddenly offer them $10,000? How would you lead up to it? How would you convince them it's a good thing that's free with no strings attached? How would you go about it?

This analogy came to mind the other day while thinking of evangelism of our faith. Do we really believe it's a good thing worth giving away? Are we really sure we already have enough for ourselves that we're not afraid to give more away?

I think that's what's intended with giving out of the abundance of what we have in Christ. For many years I wondered what exactly Peter had that he knew he could give away when he said, "Silver and gold I have not, but what I have I give you." He was giving from his abundance.

Count the cost and then you'll see
the cost of all is following me.

The suffering and pain we see all around
how can it all on this earth abound
when we know with truth that comes from above
the One who saves, the One who loves?
How can we see the pain so real
and sit and watch and just sit still?
How can we know the One who heals
and just watch the world suffer?

When will it be that I can help?
When will it be that I will live?
When will it be that my heart will matter,
in his hands? In his hands?

When will it be that I will know
what the future holds for us below?
When will it be that I can see
just what it means to have victory
when all I see around
is how suffering does abound?
When will we see the coming King
and know his works everlasting?
When will we know the grace bestowed
and the Kingdom that is at hand?
When will we know?

When will I know the part that I'll play
upon this earth while here I stay?
When will I know the difference I'll make?
When will I know what path to take?
When will I know? When will I know,
the difference of him in me?

It is with a heavy heart that sometimes I look out upon the world. Where is my God? Where is he? I am right here, he says. But why is he not more noticeable to the world? Why don't we see his works more readily, hear his voice more clearly, see his love more plainly? The arguments and excuses abound, yet in our minds the understanding is not enough. Our hearts long to know the true God, to see him fully, to know him more real. He is here, he is a part of us and our lives, he is God. He is the one who never leaves us, he is the one who never forsakes us. But in times of darkness and drought, when he seems to be missing, these words seem to be like echoes in an empty hall with only the dust to settle upon them. Where is our God when the emotions can't feel him, when the depths our our hearts seem full of sorrow, when the dancing and music has died and the depth of the night has come, where is he?

I am here, he says. In every moment of every day. Unseen and seen. Unknown, yet known. My words never go away - whether you feel them or not. The truth of them never fades. What I have once declared will always be, whether it was today, or years ago in history. The truth of my words carries you and gives you the breath you need. You live because of me. You have food and water because of me. Man cannot create these things, but only God above. Man has yet to replicate the basic necessities you need. Find me in these and know I still care. Find me in these and know I never change. I am with you. Then, look about you into the heavens and see the stars above. They were put there by a being greater than you. Man cannot replicate this feat - and never will. I have shown myself with power beyond what man will ever be able to do or to replicate. Know these things and then look at your heart and know that such a small thing is still in my hands as well. A treasure to you - it is precious to me as well, because it belongs to you. My love is not so great that it cannot be divyed into parcels just your size. Yet my love is so great that it will never end, never be phased, never will be taken from you. There is nothing in this world or beyond that can hold back and restrain my love for my people. I have given you all and yet I will give more. You will find me and know me as I reveal myself to you.