The Gift

As we have just gotten through Christmas 2008 my mind goes to an observation of this dearly loved season. I’m not sure all appreciate it in the same fashion.

We spend a lot of time thinking about that special gift for each person which will fill their hearts with joy. For the little ones, that’s not hard to do. As the age goes higher it becomes more difficult. But, we get clues all year long about something the person wants and they never seem to find the time or have the money, even when it’s “on sale”. So, we file it away and when the time comes, hopefully when it’s on sale, we buy it for them and save it until Christmas to have the perfect gift.

We give it with great joy and pleasure, knowing that we have hit the mark with that one person. They receive it with joy and ask, “How did you know?” You remark, “Remember last Aug. you said you really wanted it, well I kept my eyes open for the sales and bought it for you in Oct.” You have a friend for life, or so you think.

As time passes, you never see the person use it, wear it, read it, or make any further comments about the gift. Was it really as important as the person made it out to be? Was it a “passing fancy”? You’re confused, but not sure how to ask the question in the right manner as not to lose a friend or hurt the relationship, but you are curious.

What happens to the gifts we give? Are they used, abused, or just forgotten about? It’s all up to the person who receives them. You see, we have good or even great intentions with our gift giving. All we want to do is share and inspire a bit of joy and happiness. But the receiver is the one who has the option to maintain the gift to its full potential. Clothes and shoes we like normally get worn out. All the while we wish we had bought a second pair to have when the original wear out. I can only give the gift I want to give a person and it’s up to them what happens after that. I can’t tell them to use this only on special occasions or just when the sun is out. I can’t tell them how to play with the new game.

Some people just seem to ruin a gift within a few short weeks if not days. And I can say nothing about it. When it leaves my hand it’s “all theirs”. It now longer belongs to me; I have no control over it. If I want to control it, I keep it for myself.

Sad, but true, the gifts we give don’t belong to us any more. We paid for it, we wrapped it, and we gave it. It is no longer ours.

I see people all around me who have been given a wonderful present and don’t really appreciate it. To them it wasn’t big enough, it wasn’t strong enough, it wasn’t fast enough, and it wasn’t shiny enough. They say, “I tried it and it didn’t work for me, so I will try something newer and bigger”.

That is what I’m seeing in the world today regarding Jesus. This wonderful Gift has been given and so many, too many, are saying, “I tried it and it didn’t work for me”. Some even say, “Oh, I love Jesus”, and live life without Him. People put Him on the shelf like an old book and dust it off every month or two, but don’t pick Him up and read Him. They abuse Him by not living in the manner which is pleasing to Him. They give “lip service” not “life service”. They pick and choose like going down a cafeteria line and picking out all the sweets and goodies, while skipping the meat and vegetables and salads.

With gift giving there is also gift receiving. One, you have to receive the gift. Someone can hold out a gift and offer it to you. But, until you take it in your hand and bring it into your possession it is not yours. Two, what you do with the gift is up to you. I can’t tell you how to appreciate it. I can’t tell you how to use it. I can hope and pray that the gift will be used properly and with great care and love. But ultimately, it’s up to you.

Which brings me to and end; one, what will you do with Jesus? And two, my next writing will be Cost, Value and Worth.

Following the Shepherd,
Ron Eskew