This week, we had a secret Santa gift exchange in our office. In the season of seeking and preparing the gift, God reminded me of how each one of his children since their formation has been given gifts. Each one of us has a special gift or gifts placed inside us. And like a gift that is wrapped up with wrapping paper and nicely decorated with ribbons, no matter where the gift is placed or taken to, what is inside the wrapping will remain inside and will never change.
In my case, it is up to my colleague to unwrap the gift, which is a special kind of lamp, and make the best use of it. He will need to also plug it into a source of electricity and connect it via Bluetooth to his mobile device to play music. There is some work to do on his part too with his gift. Until he does these things, the gift will remain wrapped up and useless to him and, in his case, his family. God has given each one of us gifts. In God’s case, He is even willing to help us unwrap our gifts, set it up and help us reap all the benefits of those gifts to the glory of His name. An important thing to remember is that it does not matter whether you think the gift is inferior or that you are unworthy of the gift. God only gives good things to His children, and therefore your opinion of the gift and of the recipient will never change God’s intended purpose or worth of the gift. Consistently telling yourself you are not worthy or that your gift is inferior or worthless will never diminish the value of the gift as God intended it. It is only that you will never benefit from what the gift was intended to accomplish in your life and in the lives of all the others that are waiting for this gift.
In the case of my colleague, he received a nice little lamp that provides soft warm light and plays music. I think it was designed mainly for relaxing purposes after a long day. Even though the gift was intended for my colleague, as he is a father and husband, his family will also benefit from the gift. His children will probably be fascinated by it when they see it. And so even though his name was on the gift, others will benefit from his gift too.
In this season of giving and of gift exchanges, let us also be reminded of the many wrapped up gifts God has placed inside us, waiting to be unwrapped and used to bring the needed change in the world and ultimately glorify God’s name.
Image source: juliescribbles