Gifts Money Can’t Buy
The last two days my level of strength has not been what it seemed like it was last week. I’m not sure if that is related to my recent activity. I did navigate around the capitol quite a bit yesterday, but it was a struggle. This morning I began to head out the door to my Tuesday morning prayer time in Old Town and just got out the door and realized my legs were weaker than what I have been used to. Fortunately I exercised some wisdom in turning around and going back inside.
On the good news of the day, Ted Grizzel came by and installed a grab bar in our bathroom that allowed us to remove one more piece of adaptive equipment. I think I’m down to the shower bench, but have been able to use our master bath shower for several months which was a step forward from most of this year.
I did have my fitness center workout with my trainer. Although I could tell I was weaker than the last time, I made it doing mostly body weight exercises for my legs and shoulders.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:10,11
Christmas Day is fast approaching. Before long my procrastination on Christmas shopping will have to come to an end. As the years approach it becomes more difficult to answer the questions, “what do you want for Christmas?”
When Jesus was born, the visit of the wise men resulted in lavish gifts. Gifts of honor and gifts of provision. Perhaps is seems ironic that Christ in return came to give gifts that money can’t buy, but that we all need.
My list in this category is pretty short and I’m sure that you can think of some to add to it. But consider….
1 – A Faith in God that gives hope and perspective in a confusing world.
As you look at the world around if you are not perplexed, you are not paying attention. My trainer at the fitness center is very analytical and likes to try to figure out the “why” of everything. (related to muscles in our body anyway) Not that I have stopped pondering that imminent question, I have just come to peace with the fact that the answer to “why?” is not available and even agreed upon.
Our walk with God can be confusing at times. This morning I was reading about the ministry of Elijah. God answered his short prayer in an instant on Mount Carmel, but he had to pray earnestly seven times before his servant saw a small cloud coming up over the sea that signaled rain was coming. A list can be endless on the “why” questions related to our life with God and His ways. But I have come to peace with the fact that if I understood everything about God, I would be…. “God” and I’m not. (I know that puts many at ease.)
The Lord gives us what we need to understand His plan for people and the world that is racing toward a judgment day. We know that nothing is better than for our life to be in His hands and to stay close to Him. Many struggle with that; if I could give them a gift, it would be the simple faith that brings hope and God’s perspective of our life and world.
2 – Relationship with God and others
At this time of the year we realize God’s gift to the world was His Son Jesus. The gift that brings eternal life to all who place their faith in Him. But when we look at the shape of the cross, I believe that the horizontal and vertical pieces remind us that Christ came to bring us into relationship with God and with others.
When we look at the Bible we see along with God’s desire for all to have relationship with Him, the words of Jesus, the admonitions of Proverbs and the writing of the Apostles a strong focus on how to live in right relationships with others. We read verses on love, friendship, forgiveness and instructions about marriage and work relationships.
Relationships are about trust. It can said that, “you know a person by where the place their trust.”
Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.”
Psalm 9:10 “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 125:1 “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion which can not be removed….”
My prayer this Christmas is that you will receive the gifts that money can’t buy.