The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” (Acts 17:24-25 NIV)
In a conversation with a young child, she indicated how excited she was about Christmas time. Her excitement, based on her words, was because Christmas was one of the times of the year that she received gifts. I inquired, “Is that the only time of the year you receive gifts?” She put her finger on her chin, her eyes look upward, and she pondered for perhaps a minute. Then, as if she had an epiphany, a moment of a sudden revelation, she energetically, emphatically said, “Oh yes! I receive gifts on my birthday and sometimes when I do very well in school!”
Instead of ending the conversation I surmised that it was a good time for some instruction. I’ll share it with you just like I shared it with the little girl. I informed her, with a pleasant tone and a perfect pitch, “We often overlook the gifts we receive every day.” She paused for a second, finally looked at me with a puzzled look, as to say without uttering a word, “What is he talking about?”
I went on to point out that every day we have the gift of breath, the gift of life, the gift of time in which we can strive to be better that the day before. I continued, indicating that we have the gift of those who love us, the gift of that which we need to meet our basic needs, and the gift of our senses functioning as well as they do. Whether she understood it or not, I’m not sure she did, but surely you will understand what I mean by saying, “Every day we receive the gift of God’s grace and mercy.” (This is where one of those “Amen” responses go!)
I could have gone on, but I transitioned to that fact that those who believe in Jesus as their Savior and Lord, we have the gift, the free gift, of eternal life. And along with that comes the gift of the Holy Spirit, One who gives us the gifts of wise counsel, direction, inspiration, and the bringing to remembrance things we have taken from the study of our Bible, the word of God, yet another valuable gift. Yes, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, who turns our talents and abilities into spiritual gifts for the sake of the kingdom of God.
I’m not sure how much sunk in as I talked to the young child, but I am confident, completely so, that you comprehend the perspective on gifts that I was trying to communicate.
As you open your Christmas gifts, you either do so with much excitement and anticipation, or perhaps you hide your excitement and control your outward reactions to being presented with gifts, trying for some reason to hide signs of being enthused, exhilarated, and elated. I get human behavior. But when it comes to the behavior of Christians, as it relates to all the gifts that I told the young child about, think about those gifts and let your excitement and appreciation overflow from your heart, and move you to turn to heaven on high, and thank the Holy One, God, for all your new gifts that you have already received today. Anticipate more with every breath you take and every step you make. Have a fantastic Friday, my friend. Be blessed!
Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father who created all the lights in the heavens. He is always the same and never makes dark shadows by changing.” (James 1:17 Contemporary English Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King