The little gift-box rested on the small coffee table in our sitting
room. Its shimmery packaging winked at me in wonder and I moved closer to
inspect the carefully scripted label:
“Don’t open until your birthday!”
I stood, transfixed – admiring its delicate paper and the large
pink bow which encased it. I must have
stood there for ages – gingerly touching it and examining the careful way it had
been wrapped. But was in it? Perfume? A gift voucher? A ticket to some far-away destination? The intrigue was eating at me and its small
size gave no indication of its value either. But the intention was clear: I was loved and this gift had been carefully
prepared for me.
As my birthday drew closer I was reminded that this package
was so much like my own “gift-in-waiting” to God. Although I have been given an
earthly body, it is up to me as to what I put inside. Will mine be snow white,
or sadly tainted? Will I be ready for
the moment I meet my Lord? Am I worthy
of being called a Temple of the Holy Spirit? Or will I be offering my Lord an
empty mask?
Our reckoning day draws closer. Our packaging will be
removed and the gift behind our masks revealed. What a joyful day it will be if our Master’s response is;
“Well done, my
good and faithful servant!”
---xXx---
“But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his
appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at things man looks
at. Man looks at the outward appearance,
but the Lord looks at the heart.”
(1 Samuel 16:7 NIV)
Reading: Psalm 139
---xXx---
Love that xxx
ReplyDeleteI praise Him that His blood cleanses my temple and renews it daily sealing me with His Holy Spirit until that sweet day. Come quickly Lord Jesus. I just, today, finished my study of Matthew Bible study and have the summer to do a something different. I think I'm going to take small passages and meditate on them, writing in my journal along the way as well for a time of refreshment to get me ready to start back in September. I'm enjoying these treats you provide.
ReplyDeleteLovely devotional Caryl. Trevor Hudson's question "How can I live well?" comes to mind as I read this. It's so important to consider what we are putting in to our lives, and what is flowing out.
ReplyDelete:-) Hi Maxmom
ReplyDeleteMAXMOM....
ReplyDeleteI'm back!! Did you miss me?! ;)
Just for the record. I transform into an impatient small child whenever somebody hands me a gift that cannot immediately be opened!! ;op
Love you later, Raelyn and Rose