The Gift-Giver
By Elizabeth Cole
“…and [the father] said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
Luke 15:31-32 (NASB)
Once upon a time, there was a really fantastic Gift-giver. He was the sort who took the time to know - - really know - - the recipients of His gifts, and would choose just the sort of gifts that would be best for them.
He also had lavish wealth and could afford to give gifts of inestimable value. He gave gifts that He Himself cherished, gifts that delighted Him and brought Him great pleasure.
And so He gave gifts to those He loved. His loved ones communicated their valuation of His gifts through the way they treated the gifts upon receiving them. Some ignored the gifts. Some were ecstatic when they first got the gifts…but stored them on the shelf in the hall closet, since the gifts could sometimes be kind of messy. Some put the gifts in a place of honor until something…anything…drew their attention elsewhere.
Then there were those who accepted the gifts in humble gratitude, recognizing them for what they were: an expression of affection and confidence from the Gift-giver - - lavish love for both the gift-receiver, as well as the very gifts themselves. Those recipients welcomed and reveled in the gifts, took time to intentionally determine where the gifts could best be protected and cared for, and shouted out an enthusiastic “thank you” to their amazing Gift-giver.
Once upon a time, there was a God who cared enough about His Church to give them “gifts” – actual people He loved enough to die for, people who needed to experience Jesus’ love through His family, people who longed to know who He is and why it matters. And since He cares so very much for His gifts, I would imagine He would give them to those whom He knows will welcome and steward and grow those gifts well…and communicate their heartfelt “thank you” through actions, not just words.
Our God has placed those He cherishes in our lives and in our churches this week…as precious gifts from a really fantastic Gift-giver. How’s our “thank you”?
GOING DEEPER:
1. Is God calling you to open up time in your week to intentionally care for those He’s bringing into your life or church? Will you?
FURTHER READING:
John 1:43-45,15:17; James 2:1-9
Elizabeth is a wife and mother of three grown daughters. She is the Director of Connecting and of We Women at Oakwood Church.
(Concept from Nelson Searcy in Fusion, Regal/Gospel Light, 2007)
