John 14:27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
My maternal grandmother was very opinionated about gifts. She had criteria for what constituted a “gift” and what didn’t. So when my grandfather gave her a box of loose “face powder” one Christmas, she had a fit! “That is NOT a gift!” she told my mother - AND my grandfather! Even though she enjoyed using this product – and it was an expensive item you had to buy at a high-end department store or a pharmacy with a cosmetics counter – she did not consider this an appropriate gift. When my grandmother gave us a present, we learned to make a huge fuss over it. If not, she would usually say, “I can tell you don’t like that. I’ll just take it back.” Sometimes gifts come with “strings” attached!
Just a few years ago, my Mam-ma Polly gave me “birthday money.” Soon afterward, we were driving home from her beauty shop appointment one afternoon, and she asked, “What did you buy with your money?” It was important to her to know that I had used her gift to get something I wanted or needed… and that I had not just stuck it into my pocket and used it for everyday expenses, like gas for the car, a sub sandwich, or diapers for the little ones! Sometimes, what we do with our gifts matters greatly!
Jesus’ “gift” – peace of mind and heart in the form of the Holy Spirit – is not something that can be wrapped in a box with pretty paper and a bow. The presence of the Holy Spirit is not an item that you can purchase at Wal-Mart, a high-end department store, or even in church! Your parents, spouse, best friend, or pastor cannot give you this peace. And you know what else? The peace of the Holy Spirit doesn’t come with “strings” attached! This is a FREE gift to you from Jesus. All you have to do in return is to welcome Him… to recognize His presence…and to treat Him with love, reverence, respect, and gratitude.
The Holy Spirit will not impose upon you. His presence must be invited… requested. Jesus will not ask you, “What did you do with this gift?” Oh, sure… He knows already. But the whole point of Jesus giving us His Holy Spirit is that it comes to us at no charge… with no “conditions of use.” Still, we must ask ourselves…how are we treating the Holy Spirit? Have we made room for Him in our hearts? Do we recognize the incomparable peace He brings us? How are we utilizing this extraordinary present? What will we do with it?
There are a lot of things in life that can give us peace of mind… good health, a steady income, food on the table and a roof over our heads, good friends, a loving family, and more. There are even people in our lives who bring us joy and a semblance of peace. But none of these can compare to the gift of peace and comfort from the Holy Spirit. Nothing can alleviate our troubles and fears like His presence. No other bequest will ever compare… none will offer anything near the benefits and blessings of His presence. Have you received Jesus’ gift of continual peace for your mind and heart? Do you recognize the Holy Spirit and nurture your relationship with Him? How are you “spending” this amazing offering? What you do with this “gift”… truly does matter! What will be your response?
©2013 Debbie Robus
No comments:
Post a Comment