This was once this woman…

She really wanted to help.

Every morning she would pray to God and ask Him to show her how to be God’s hands and feet, and then she would proceed to keep her eyes open throughout the day to see where she might be able to shine for the Lord.

Now there is nothing wrong with this. In fact, I urge you with everything that I am to be like this woman…

However, her efforts were not always appreciated…

Take the other day, for example. In trying to collect money to send to someone overseas, she was met with cold reception. When trying to help someone find an apartment, her efforts were ignored, as were her words when she passed out comfort and hope and encouragement. And so the day went on, until the straw that broke the camel’s back. She spent all day cooking a special meal for someone she cared about, only to have it go uneaten.

She stood in silence, but her heart cried out: ‘Why, Lord? I’m only trying to help, but it seems like no one wants my help! Maybe I should just stop worrying about other people!’ She knew in her heart that the words were wrong, but with every one of her efforts being scorned, is it any wonder that she found her thoughts taking this turn?

Today is Christmas. It is a day when you will be receiving gifts. Remember this story. Accept the gifts you are given and appreciate them, for that will be the best kind of thanks to the giver.

More importantly, doesn’t the story of this woman make you think of another, even greater and even sadder story? Today is not just a day to receive gifts from friends and family. It is the day that we celebrate the greatest act of loving kindness and selfless love in human history. It is the day we celebrate how God did everything to correct the sin problem that … we … had created. He sent Jesus as a tiny, newborn baby, the birth of whom we celebrate today. Jesus gave up the riches of Heaven (“You know the generous grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty he could make you rich.” 2 Cor. 8:9 NLT) to come to this earth to be ridiculed and beaten and killed. Why? So that the gates of Heaven could be opened to all of humanity.

Without Jesus’ gift, man is doomed to die for his sin: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a NLT). But Jesus came: “…that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10b ESV), that “…free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b NLT).

The problem is, just like so many people didn’t seem to want the help of the woman in the beginning of this devotional, so many people reject Jesus’ gift as well! How sad it must make Him feel, after sacrificing so much, to have his gift rejected!

The truth is, there is only one way to adequately express our gratitude for someone who is reaching out to help us, and that is to accept that person’s help!

There is only one way to thank Jesus for His gift, and that is to accept the Salvation that He came to this earth to earn for us.

What will it be? Will you thank Jesus for His gift by accepting it today? Or will you make Him sad by rejecting it? The former leads to eternal life, but the latter leads to death…

And if you’ve already accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation, why not accept His Christmas gifts of peace, joy and selfless love? You can do so by clicking here!

In His love,
Lyn

Lyn Chaffart
Moderator, Associate Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries