That Christmas is a season of giving gifts, goes without saying. But have you ever asked yourself or others this question;
What gift does Jesus want from me (or you) this Christmas?
The first thing that popped into my mind was an automatic and trivial response like, “He wants my heart, or my gratitude.” Sure. Of course he does. “But Clare, think about that for just five minutes. You can do better than that,” the Holy Spirit impressed on me. We spend hours choosing presents for family and close friends. (Well, maybe guys don’t. But we should!) So, how about dedicating just a half hour of time alone with God today, to answer that question. Let me frame my question above, differently.
If Jesus was sitting right in front of you and you asked him, “What would you like from me for Christmas?,” what kinds of things might he suggest?
I’d love to talk with you daily, on a far deeper level than we have.
I’d love for you to give me that sinful habit, you can seem to shake (or perhaps don’t want to) that I know makes you feel ashamed, and therefore keeps you and me from spiritual intimacy.
I’d enjoy spending just one whole day with you, singing praise, reading the Bible, reflecting on your life and praising us – the Trinity. Just one day!
My wish this Christmas is that you begin truly loving your wife (or husband) again, or more.
I’d love it if you were more outrageously generous or kind to other people this year.
You’ve worked with Ted for two years and beside asking him about church, you’ve never really introduced him to me. Are you embarrassed? I know he knows the Christmas story, but please tell him the Easter story.
Your sister who you’re “not very close to,” who hurt you years ago, or who has made a wreck of her life, needs you to call her without advice or expecting an apology, to just have a simple, healing conversation.
The supreme gift And finally, the most important gift Jesus wants if you’ve not ever given it before:
I want you to pledge your highest allegiance to me and my kingdom agenda. I want you to be a passionate follower of mine. No more lukewarm worship and devotion to me. From this day forward, give your life – all of it, to me.
Perhaps you “prayed the prayer” years ago on a retreat, or at Camp Winamonka as a kid, but over the years you let Satan and the world slowly steal your gift to Jesus. If that’s true, he’s waiting for his gift of love from you again.
Nobody wakes up one morning and makes the decision to be a lukewarm, religious Christian. So, I have a theory. I think we Christians who were once on fire for God often slowly and unconsciously drift toward religious activities, even good ones, because they’re relatively convenient and culturally acceptable forms of obedience. It’s a faith we can schedule into our busy lives – worship at 10:00 a.m., drop our offerings in the plate, Bible study on Tuesdays, volunteer on Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m. It’s a spirituality that we can measure ourselves and others by – familiar and predictable, and it still leaves 95 percent of our waking hours for ourselves. Just the ticket for a user-friendly religion.
Obviously, I have no idea where you are on your faith journey. You may still be kicking tires spiritually, still checking Jesus out. Or maybe you’re disappointed with God right now because he hasn’t yet delivered you from the wreckage you or others have made of your life. Perhaps you’ve been a Christian all your life but have resigned yourself to “this is as good and it’s going to get.” Please don’t!
What is it that causes one believer in Jesus to become a passionate follower, someone whose life significantly impacts other lives, and another to settle for a life of beige Christianity?
A decision.
A personal decision to be far more serious about being like Jesus, whether anyone else in your life is or not.
–Quoted from The 10 Second Rule
Please make your decision, whatever it is, your gift to Jesus this year.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
How following Jesus works in real life.
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