Do you like giving gifts? They can be gifts that you purchase or presents that cost you time, thought and/or energy rather than money. They can be wrapped with beautiful paper and ribbons or wrapped with thoughtfulness and affection for someone. We give gifts to express our love and admiration or perhaps our gratefulness or concern for other people. In choosing a gift, the motive behind it is usually to find a way to please them, to bring them a smile or to make the feel cherished or appreciated. Sometimes gifts express sentiments and love in a way that words cannot adequately do. When you give a gift that you know has greatly pleased the recipient, not only is he/she extremely happy, but so are you. Right?
When we read the very brief biography of Enoch, it is interesting to take note of the reason that he is included in this list of heroes of faith in Hebrews. We are told that “he pleased God” – he gave God clear evidence of his love by doing the things that brought Him joy. Many centuries later the way that God showed us His love was through giving. “For God so loved the world that He gave . . . “ – John 3: 16. Our desire to love and to be loved is made clearly visible through all kinds of gift-giving, isn’t it? Surprisingly this is not limited to only our human relationships, but is also demonstrated in the way we choose to live a life that is pleasing to God. Do you agree that the gift that brings Him the greatest joy is our willingness to believe and to keep on trusting Him – every hour of every day?
The song says, “All to Jesus I Surrender. All to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him and in His presence daily live. I surrender all. I surrender all. All to Thee my blessed Savior, I surrender all.” That just might be the ultimate gift that we can give to the Lord. What do you think?
