Every year, I face the daunting challenge of shopping for Christmas gifts, and there’s a few families I shop for that have everything. Literally, I mean everything! My routine normally is to sit on the couch, racking my brain to come up with something I can get them, and every year, I can’t come up with anything! I end up going back to the store to buy another gift card to a local restaurant. Have you ever been in my same situation?
Yet, an even more difficult person to get something for this holiday season is God the Father! You know, He did send His only son to be born in a rugged manner, live a perfect life, and reach people from all backgrounds and social circles. Then His son died the most cruel, inhumane death on an old piece of wood! When you think about it, He deserves more than we could ever give Him, yet when you study Scripture, you find that God has everything already. In fact, the Psalmist wrote in Psalms 50:10-11, "For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills and all that moves in the field is mine." What do you give back to a God that owns everything? Have you ever considered this question? If not, it's one worth thinking about.
Let me take a minute to clue you in on what He would really like this Christmas, and it’s not what you would typically think. It's not your endless riches, numerous talents, hours of service, or your countless outreaches to those in need. All those things might be nice gifts to offer Him, but it's not the one that He longs for. Consider this old passage in 1 Samuel 16 that says, "But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’” The one thing that God looked for then, and still looks for now, is your heart. Your whole heart, even the broken pieces! He longs to be connected to us intimately. Yet, so many of His children haven't offered their hearts to Him.
As you prepare for the holiday season, can I encourage you to take a minute to evaluate whether or not you have given this gift back to God?In terms of gift giving, it truly is the best thing you could possibly give to Him. No need for a wrapped package,
with a bow on the box. All he wants from you is you! Your heart has been and will always be the best gift you can offer back to Him.
Your gift giving just got easier… or maybe harder, depending on how you look at it. I promise that this gift is the most important gift you will ever give. I encourage you to offer Him the gift that matters most. Merry Christmas friends!
