2 Corinthians 12:2 English Standard Version (ESV) I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

Various discussion over the years have drawn a conclusion that this man Paul refers to was Paul himself. Verse six says “though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me.”

Then why mention it at all?

Allow me to place my own opinion here. How would any of us react to similar experiences? Perhaps this is a teaching moment from Paul knowing that there will be others who experience the same thing and how he acted is how we should act.

Humility in the face of the danger of conceit is what Paul speaks to in verse seven. The following verses lead to one of Paul’s great conversations with our Lord.

9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

Needful things is the title but sufficient grace is the object of discussion. How God manifests His grace to us will be personal, designed to provide exactly what we need at the moment we need it the most.

I know a man in Christ who forty years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows.

He did not know love, had never experienced love and needed to know that God is love. He saw nothing, heard nothing, but was bathed in God’s love. He had no words to compare that love. Words failed to match what Paul described as “the surpassing greatness of the revelation” in verse 7.

Relating to others what we experience in a personal way should always be presented in a believable manner, without hype or ego.

Genesis 24:27 English Standard Version (ESV) and said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not forsaken his steadfast love and his faithfulness toward my master. As for me, the Lord has led me in the way to the house of my master’s kinsmen.”

Blessed in its usage here is barak and in most cases its usage begins with “invoking God”. Abraham’s servant had prayed for a sign, specific in design in order to know God’s will in finding a wife for Isaac. God answered that prayer perfectly. The servant’s comment was in worshipping God and a witness to Rebekah so that she might become part of the blessing invoked by God.

We hear “bless you” and “blessing be upon you” spoken by people who might not even know God. They are for the most part offhand remarks. People say it without invoking God.

How much different would our service be if we were to prayer for God’s help in doing service? Would our intentions be to invoke the will of God or for God to bless our meager offerings? We are all servants of God in one form or another. Gifts are given with purpose. Talents are to be used in furtherance of God’s will.

At the core of these blessings are two important issues. God’s steadfast love and His faithfulness. These are blessing bestowed upon us by grace. It is who God is and it is God’s desire to be seen, to be known, and to believe in His love and faithfulness. While we may know that that person we encounter in God’s service may not know that. The chances of their encountering God will be greatly improved if we “invoke God”.

Philippians 2:13 English Standard Version (ESV) for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

God is involved and we should acknowledge that in worship in the moment.