Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Winter 2014 Issue | Page 14

Focusing on God’s

Abundance
Dr. Joseph Downing Thompson Jr.

“Awake, my soul, stretch every nerve, and press with
vigor on; a heavenly race demands thy zeal, and an
immortal crown, and an immortal crown.”
toward the future, whether

From the 18th-century hymn by Philip Doddridge, these
fretfully or not. But Jesus is
rousing words are intended to inspire endurance for the
inviting us to look to a reality
everyday races that we all must run as part of the larger
that is even deeper than our
journey of the spiritual life. Though the hymn speaks of
own nature, deeper than our
“a heavenly race,” I suspect we are not meant to consider
own needs and concerns.
ourselves to be in a competition. However, participating in a

You see, it is in God’s
race usually prompts us to put forth our very best, whether
nature to know us and
or not we have a chance of winning. We stretch ourselves
Dr. Joseph Downing Thompson, Jr.
provide for us: “…indeed your
with all the vigor and zeal we can muster.
heavenly Father knows that you need all these
Perhaps the message is that the
things. But strive first for the kingdom of God
rewards of the spiritual life are worth every
and his righteousness, and all these things will
effort we are able to make. This is a true and
be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:32b-33
noble sentiment, to be sure. But let us be
NRSV). Our job, in spite of ourselves, is to
realistic. What happens when the singing is
behave as though we believe God’s abundance
over? What happens when these beautiful
is greater than our need, even when anxiety
words meet the sometimes drab, sometimes
and worry threaten to get the best of us. In
downright ugly realities of our lives – when
this sense, our job is to “fake it until we make
“vigorous” is the last word we would choose
it.” Ultimately, we will “make it” because when
to describe ourselves?
we focus on the abundance and justice of

Several years ago, I was going through a
God’s reign, our vision is transformed to see
difficult time at work. I was in the midst of a
Illustration: John Dixon
that there will always be enough.
major professional transition, and I was not

But we have to ask ourselves: enough for what purpose?
sure exactly where I was headed. Though this was certainly
What does “making it” actually entail? In his teaching about
not one of the worst moments of my life, I can firmly say that I
worry, Jesus is not trying to be a therapist who is primarily
did not feel vigorous or zealous. Then, one of my mentors gave
interested in helping us to make it through our individual
me a piece of advice that has stuck with me ever since: “Joe,
fears, as laudable a goal as that is. Luke’s version suggests
sometimes you have to fake it ‘til you make it.” She was not
that when we are less anxious, we have more
suggesting that I should pretend to be something I was not.
to give: “Do not be afraid, little flock…Sell your
Rather, her point was that I needed to move forward with a
sense of purpose even when I had not a clue what that purpose possessions and give alms” (Luke 12:32a,33a).

Once again, Jesus asks us to take a broader view
was. I had to act with confidence that I would get where I
of reality. Focusing on God’s abundance opens space
needed to be, though I did not know just where I was going.
in our hearts and minds so that we may be generous

My friend is not religious in the least, but her words have
members of our communities. Even when we feel bereft
always put me in mind of one of my favorite teachings of Jesus:
of vigor and zeal, even when we ar HY