We’re 11 days away from Christmas folks, which means we have reached a critical mass in our efforts to complete our Christmas shopping and to-do lists! Our shopping lists are being rushed to completion, wrapping paper is engulfing our living rooms, and we’re prepping gifts to be shipped all over the globe in the hopes that they’ll arrive at their destinations before Christmas.
We also have to plan the Christmas Day meal too, so don’t forget to make that grocery list/trip and have a backup plan in case the stores are out of what you need! Oh, and we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, so we’ll need to make sure we’re adjusting our plans for that as well.
Does this sound like your reality right now? I don’t know about you all, but sometimes it doesn’t feel like the “giving season” when we’re surrounded by the madness and chaos of our own expectations and to-dos. Sometimes, it might even feel like you have nothing left to give either, because you’re just spent. This week we’re going to explore what it means to become more giving, and we’re going to look to The Trinity for help. We want to become more giving not just in this season, but for the long-haul of our spiritual journey.
Let’s refresh our minds and look at the definition of give: to present voluntarily and without expecting compensation
Now let’s look at the definition of giving: providing love or other emotional support; caring
Do these definitions describe your heart this holiday season? If not, what’s holding you back from becoming more giving? Our Father models the perfect example of giving without expectations or compensation in John:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
He gave us His only son. Even knowing all that would transpire in Jesus’ lifetime, God still gave us Jesus, because He loves us that much. We all know just how precious the gift of salvation is, and the foundation that our faith is built on comes from that selfless giving.
Today in your quiet time, think about the Father giving us Jesus and how much love He has for us to give us such a precious gift. Think of someone in your life that could really use a gift like that right now, then ask yourself the following questions:
How can I become more giving like the Father today?
Who can I provide love or emotional support to without expecting anything in return?
Ask God to reveal these people to you and for a heart of courage to reach out to them.