12-1-05
Gift giving season is here which means the gift receiving season is here.
It is better to give, but most of us enjoy the receiving as well. Less good
doesn't mean not good, after all. If you could choose to receive anything
without limit or reservation, what would it be? The truth is we have not
even begun to exhaust the gifts we already have. Our lives, our talents,
skills, characteristics, stature, our very selves and souls - all gifts.
Many abuse these gifts by choosing to ignore that they were received
rather than somehow earned, bought, or developed. This is a grievous
sin. Refusing to acknowledge God's gifts dishonors God and attempts to
steal His glory. The theft often appears to succeed, but the glory which
is truly glorious will not be shared.
Others abuse these gifts by judging them as somehow inadequate.
They weren't granted to be smart enough, strong enough, good-looking
enough, healthy enough, or whatever enough. This may appear to be
just an acknowledgment of reality or in some cases true humility, but I
think it is an egregious error too and just as sinful in its own right. Who
is not himself or herself enough? God has made us unique individuals
and we are just as we should be. We are fallen and sinful so not perfect,
but that doesn't bother many of us nearly as much as the lack we
perceive in looks or health.
Give yourself this gift this year: stop comparing yourself to anyone else.
You'll either think you are doing good when you aren't doing anything at
all except receiving or you'll think you are falling short even though you
and the mark are dead even. What we have are gifts and God's gifts
are sufficient including His ultimate gift of His own son. If Jesus wasn't
your answer to the question about what you would choose if you could
receive any gift, you might want to reconsider as that is the one gift that
all need, haughty and lowly alike.
Dale
THBC HOME POST ARCHIVE