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It was early January, and all the costumes and props for the Sunday School Christmas play had long been tidied up and put away. All except one, I thought. A wrapped gift lay in my drawer. I was in charge of the Sunday School, so kept stuff in the old desk. Wonder what that's doing there? Looks like one of the wise men's gifts. I ignored it. It lay there for the rest of January. Maybe it's there by mistake. Gradually, months later, I realized it was in my drawer, so maybe I was supposed to open it. I finally opened and enjoyed my box of chocolates!
We have to receive something in order to have it. My son who installs blinds often gets paid by e-transfer. The client sends the amount specified, but in order for Nick to actually receive it, he has to answer a security question. I had to take the wrapped present out of the drawer and acknowledge it was mine, in order to receive it.
After the birth of Christ, a special, bright star appeared in the East. Many would have seen it, but only the wise men who were compelled to travel thousands of miles west acknowledged the idea that it was associated with the Messiah. They “rejoiced with exceedingly great joy” (Matthew 2:10 NKJV) as, following the star, they finally came to the place where the young child, the Messiah, was, and worshipped Him. They received the knowledge they were given, and acted on it. The Bible doesn't say what happened to the wise men next, but I like to think they received the gift of the Messiah, and the salvation He would bring.
“To Him [Jesus] all the prophets witness that through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43 NKJV)
“He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5 NLT)
“From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.” (John 1:16 NLT)
God has many gifts for us – grace, healing, wholeness, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life, to name a few. We can easily forget about them, as the gift in the drawer. They are potentially available to us, but we must receive them. Take healing, for example. I knew with my mind that God was the Healer. Once, at a women's retreat, I was walking gingerly up the stairs with a sore back. A woman behind me placed her hand on the small of my back and said, “Receive your healing.” I hadn't known it was something I had to accept as valid and true, and receive. I wasn't healed on the spot, but I had a new understanding of having to receive something in order to have it.
Acknowledging and receiving is the key to God's blessings. Let's not just think about them theoretically, but let's receive them with joy.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the many gifts You choose to bless us with. Help us to be ready and willing to receive them, and not let them lie unused. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Alice Burnett
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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