“The blessing of God is not a substitute for praying like it depends on God or working like it depends on us. It’s a supplement. . . . The blessing of God is anything but a good-luck charm. You cannot earn it, but you’ll have to work for it. And while it’s absolutely free, it’ll cost you dearly! If you want a double blessing, be prepared to double down on your work ethic and prayer ethic.”- Mark Batterson
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said . . .- 2 Kings 2:9-10 (NIV)
In Chapter 1 (“Double Portion”) of Double Blessing, Mark Batterson begins with the story of legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. Stagg coached football at the University of Chicago for four decades, winning national titles in 1905 and 1913. Furthermore, his brainchildren include the huddle, the onside kick, and the forward pass.
However, Stagg indicated the foundation of his legacy in what he said to the university president in accepting the coaching position. He stated, “After much thought and prayer, I decided that my life can best be used for my Master’s service in the position you have offered.”
Although Stagg coached football until the age of ninety-eight, he did more than simply coach his teams. In addition, Stagg discipled his players. And, twenty years down the road, Stagg would truly see how his players really turned out.
Therefore, Pastor Batterson emphasizes, what we accomplish in our lifetimes fails to measure our legacy. Instead, God measures our legacy by:
- our coaching tree, our mentoring chain
- the fruit we grow on other people’s trees
- the investments we make in others that still earn compound interest twenty years later
- every blessing we bestow
Today’s question: How do you see God’s blessing as a supplement to praying like everything depends on God? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Prisoner of perspective, or prisoner of hope?”
