![]() Some people are very difficult to buy for. They have everything... or they are mega-content and have everything they want. Or if they are mega-rich like Bill Gates, they can acquire everything they would want. What do you give someone who has everything? As I've pondered that, I think I have come to an answer. You can give them a better version of you. I don't care what they already have or are able to buy... they do not have nor can they purchase a better version of you. You can give everyone something that no one else can give them. What does that look like? Well, I couldn't find it on Amazon, but I dug a little deeper, and for me it looks something like this... 1 - I can give more love and obedience to God. This is where it starts. The better my relationship with Him, the better husband, father, son, brother, friend I will be to others. No one can love or obey God for me. But I can offer more of myself to Him. This is the absolute best thing I can give to everyone. The best gift I can give to you is giving myself to God. 2 - I can be more loving, giving, sensitive, humble, supportive, honest, compassionate, sacrificial, faithful, merciful, patient, kind, and gracious to those around me. It isn't enough for me to love Christ more. If I am not more Christ-like to the people around me, my dedication to Christ is worth nothing. This offering of a better self begins with my family, extends to friends, and ultimately should impact strangers. 3 - I can give Jesus. It is one thing to commit myself to the One who gave everything for me. It is great to give a better me to those around me. But it is another thing to offer Jesus Christ to those who do not know Him. My life is designed to bring glory to God. It is wonderful to live a life that reflects Jesus. But if I don't actually express in words the greatest gift ever, I have robbed others of that gift. So, if I were to ask you what you want for Christmas, you'd probably tell me, "Nothing... I'm good." But I can still give you the greatest gift that I can give you. I can give myself to God, give myself to you, and give Jesus to you. That is the perfect gift to give to someone who has everything else they want. Here is how the apostle Paul put it... Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2) We are to present ourselves first to God. That is a present. In that giving, we become who we are supposed to be in the lives of those around us. Then when we give Jesus to people, it all makes more sense. On this Christmas day, I give myself to God, myself to you, and with that, I offer you Jesus. I encourage you to give these same gifts to the people in your life. [Bible quotes are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, unless otherwise noted.] Find more of David’s work at Heart Of Ministry. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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AuthorMy name is David, and I want to know God more, and help other people find Him. Archives
March 2019
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