Many members of the church I attend, the Forest Lake Seventh-day Adventist church, are participating in what our pastor has called “40 Days of Prayer at Forest Lake” with devotionals patterned after Alvin VanderGriend’s book, Love to Pray. I, along with several individuals have volunteered to write a series of devotionals for the event. These devotionals are sent daily to church members as we pray for our church and prepare our hearts for the challenges that lie ahead. As I wrote the first of two devotionals I contributed, I found that the message of the selected scriptural passage resonates with my experience of the past year. I’d like to share with you an edited version of my contribution.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” -Matthew 7: 9-11
Christmas time is a time of giving. Many people spend lots of money giving gifts to co-workers, family members, friends, and often strangers, just to make a good impression. No matter who the recipient might be, or what the value of the gifts might be, the gifts are representative of the giver. Unfortunately, the commercialism of Christmas propels us to spend lots of money to be sure that when the gift is given, not only will it be well-received but it would also speak well of the giver. In gift-giving, the more we love someone or want to impress someone, the more likely is the increased cost or value of the gift.
Sometimes, we present gag gifts at parties. The exercise is usually one of frivolity and fun and is not understood to be a meaningful exercise that illustrates the heart of the giver. No one gives a gag gift as an expression of the heart. Why then would one who loves us supremely give us a gag gift? That is the question that Jesus asks.
God wants the best for us. He loves us more than anything or anyone; more than any lover could, and more than we love our wives, husbands, and children. Will he not give us the best? Oh yes, he will! He cannot but exercise his love for us by providing us with the best he can possibly offer. Sometimes, life brings difficult circumstances and situations that make us wonder about the giver. We can be assured that the giver of the gag gifts of life is the ‘architect of all evil,’ but the giver of all good gifts in our lives is the God of love.
This year I have been reassured of God’s gifts to me – strength and faith to endure the difficult days, daily recovery, and life itself. My second PET scan a few weeks ago confirmed the results of the one I did in February. I have no obvious active cancer though the path to full recovery is a slow one. My friends still pray for and encourage me. What gifts!
Dear Father of love and Giver of all good gifts; we give our gifts to you, our lives, and thank you for the many gifts of love you give to us. Amen!
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” -Matthew 7: 9-11
Christmas time is a time of giving. Many people spend lots of money giving gifts to co-workers, family members, friends, and often strangers, just to make a good impression. No matter who the recipient might be, or what the value of the gifts might be, the gifts are representative of the giver. Unfortunately, the commercialism of Christmas propels us to spend lots of money to be sure that when the gift is given, not only will it be well-received but it would also speak well of the giver. In gift-giving, the more we love someone or want to impress someone, the more likely is the increased cost or value of the gift.
Sometimes, we present gag gifts at parties. The exercise is usually one of frivolity and fun and is not understood to be a meaningful exercise that illustrates the heart of the giver. No one gives a gag gift as an expression of the heart. Why then would one who loves us supremely give us a gag gift? That is the question that Jesus asks.
God wants the best for us. He loves us more than anything or anyone; more than any lover could, and more than we love our wives, husbands, and children. Will he not give us the best? Oh yes, he will! He cannot but exercise his love for us by providing us with the best he can possibly offer. Sometimes, life brings difficult circumstances and situations that make us wonder about the giver. We can be assured that the giver of the gag gifts of life is the ‘architect of all evil,’ but the giver of all good gifts in our lives is the God of love.
This year I have been reassured of God’s gifts to me – strength and faith to endure the difficult days, daily recovery, and life itself. My second PET scan a few weeks ago confirmed the results of the one I did in February. I have no obvious active cancer though the path to full recovery is a slow one. My friends still pray for and encourage me. What gifts!
Dear Father of love and Giver of all good gifts; we give our gifts to you, our lives, and thank you for the many gifts of love you give to us. Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment