I was asked to share my testimony with my small group up in Columbus so I was sifting through my life in my thoughts. As I was going through the different phases in my life, I stopped at the first time I felt incredibly valued, loved, and alive! MEXICO.
I asked, “Why did I feel like this Jesus?”
I realized it was because I was able to use the gifts God gave me…but here is the key, the gifts I gave were received. Why does this matter? Because when we give gifts and they are rejected we feel unworthy, shamed, or unimportant.
God used the gifts He gave me to benefit those He put into my life. Maybe it was just the gift of spending countless hours with the kids, singing while painting in the 100 degree weather, planning crafts for little precious hands to design, or taking the time to ask questions about their lives.
Who doesn’t like to get gifts?!?!
Well, it seems obvious that everyone would probably like a gift…but our actions DO NOT show this. Since being back in the States, I have realized something (now this is a stereotype and not true of everyone). We are NOT a receiving culture! Why?!? I don’t know for sure, but I have a few guesses.
Pride. We want to do things on our own with our own strength, or we don’t want to “bother” others. It is really hard for some of us to accept gifts, to let others serve us, to have open hands, or ask for advice. We can often think it is a humble and courteous gesture to turn down someone willing to make us supper, clean our room, take us somewhere, give us a compliment, or buy a meal.
But saying no to them can actually be stealing from them! What…..stealing?!?! Yes, taking the joy, the gift of giving something to another. People give because they love. When you love and that person does not receive that love… it HURTS!
You may be able to do things on your own quite well…or even better than another person doing it for you, but humble yourself, let them give you a gift. Not only are you blessed but the giver is blessed too.
A passage in Psalm tells us God does what He pleases.
“Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps” Psalm 35:6.
He is pleased to choose us as His children. Yes, we don’t deserve this gift but He gives it. For many this gift is not received, we choose not to take it. Not only does this bring us to destruction but also insults the Giver.
God is the ULTIMATE Giver. He gives us EVERYTHING!!! Yet we choose to have a closed fist. Ask God to open those fists and instead have a receiving heart. Realize how vital His gifts are! Not only is salvation the best gift, but God gives us gifts every day!! And it even maybe through others. So let us graciously thank others when they offer us a gift. God did not create us to live this life alone. He gave us all different gifts to enjoy and share with others!
So this I shall share, God is the Gift Giver. Now may I receive the grace-gifts He gives me every day so I can in turn give that gift of grace to others.
