Jiffy Pop & Jabez Expanding
June 17, 2009
by Ed Eubank Ed and his wife Donna are Ambassador Club membersGod has blessed me with a wonderful life.
As I was growing up, our family always took summer vacations. They most often included a camping adventure. Dad and mom would pack up the car, a Coleman pop up camper and off we’d go. Although the path we took was always different, one thing stayed the same – campfires and pop corn – “Jiffy Pop” that is!.
It was so cool to rip open the paper covering and hold the pan directly over the fire. In a matter of moments it began to expand as if by magic. It would just keep expanding to the point that the bag was almost ready to burst!
As I reflect on those early adventuresome days of my life, I was reminded of a Bible story about expanding. It’s a brief yet revealing account in First Chronicles of a man named Jabez. His mother’s delivery of Jabez was so terrible and painful that she branded the little baby for life -for his name meant to grieve, make sorrow and bring pain (1Chronicles 4: 9). Can you imagine that the very mention of your name reminded everyone that you were the cause of pain and grief?
Yet, Jabez had a turning point in his life. Though he was more honorable than his brothers, it seems he didn’t fully realize how special he was until he prayed aloud to God. He prayed that God would bless him, expand Jabez’s ministry territory, be with him, and keep him from evil that “I may not cause or feel pain.” (1Chronicles 4:10)
What Jebez wanted most was to have some positive influence in life (expand my territory). He desired to be seen as a blessing and not a curse, to know God’s hand was upon him and that he would never cause someone pain again. And the Bible tells us – almost in passing – “So God granted him what he requested.”
I have come to understand that in life there are many like Jabez around us who just need a kind word of encouragement and a touch of God’s blessings.
Oh, and as for the “Jiffy Pop”, we just recently rediscovered it with our daughters. It’s amazing how their eyes were filled with the same anticipation and magic as they excitedly shared campfire stories – just like I had done years ago!.
Today would be a good day to expand your territories - just like Jabez and the Jiffy Pop. All it would take is a passion to impact lives for Christ and a sincere prayer asking for God to bless you, be with you, keep you from evil so that you would not cause pain to others.
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