“Right after Christmas last year,” Stan began, “I was having coffee with a couple of neighbors. We were talking about what gifts we had given to our wives.”
Continuing, he said, “One neighbor said he had spent months thinking about what would be the perfect gift for his wife. Once he had decided, it took a long time to find exactly what he was looking for, but he finally did. He said his wife was surprised and delighted with the gift.”
“What about the other neighbor?” I asked.
“Different approach; different result,” Stan replied. “It seems he’s a last-minute shopper. He went out on Christmas Eve, found something he thought his wife would like, but she knew little thought had been given. Her response was, shall we say, not as positive.”
“Wonder if he learned anything from that,” I responded.
“I don’t know,” Stan replied, “but I was thinking about the difference in the approach of the two neighbors, and how it relates to the gifts that God gives us.”
Continuing, he added, “God’s gifts are always perfect because He has given a lot of thought to them, as in from the beginning of time!”
“He’s not a last-minute shopper!” I responded.
“Exactly, my friend,” Stan replied. “No, God has the perfect gifts for each one of us. The gift of salvation and life eternally with Him when the time is right. The perfect gift just waiting for each person to receive.”
“Secondly,” he continued, “is the gift of being able to know God while He keeps me on this side of eternity. What a fabulous gift that is! Jesus said that is what eternal life is about, knowing God the Father and His Son.”
“Again,” Stan concluded, “God’s gifts are perfect because He has given a lot of thought to them. He didn’t wait until the last minute to decide what to give. He had it all planned out. What He wants me to do is appreciate what He has given by accepting and embracing it!”
___________________________________
Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow. James 1:17.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent. John 17:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for all of the gifts you have made available to me. The gift of salvation through the finished work of Jesus on the cross, along with the gift of being able to pursue knowing you and Jesus on this side of eternity. Thank you that your gifts are perfect because you are God and you are perfect in everything. I need and I ask for your help in giving to others the truth of your gracious and free gifts of life eternally with you, along with the eternal life of knowing you. Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: We all appreciate thoughtful gifts. Have you ever received a gift from someone, knowing that not a lot of thought had been given to the gift? If so, how did that make you feel? Have you ever done the same thing in giving a gift without a lot of thought? If so, do you think the other person knew? Do you agree that God’s gifts are always perfect because He has given a lot of thought to them? Why or why not? Have you accepted His free and gracious gift of salvation? If not, why? If you have, are you pursuing all of the other gifts God has for us while He keeps us on this side of eternity? Do you know about those gifts?
Waiting for the Train 