Wrap It for Me
Theme of the Week: Taking God's Dare
Monday, January 20, 2003
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Key Bible Verse: We know what real love is because Christ gave up his life for us. And so we also ought to give up our lives for our Christian friends (1 John 3:16). Bonus Reading:2 Samuel 23:13-17
At the company, my secretary posted in her calendar the birthdays and anniversaries I wanted to remember. A few days before the day, Karen would begin reminding me that I should buy a gift and a card.
Once, I was especially busy. When the day came and she asked if I'd been shopping yet, I had to say no. She knew I was booked up solid until time to head home. So she asked, "Do you want me to buy the present?"
"Well, yeah," I weakly replied.
It wasn't much fun to give that anniversary present to Peg, and I suspect it wasn't much fun to receive. Because all of the giver involved was some green pieces of paper. No matter how many of them it took, it still didn't have the giver's time, love, or thoughts. There isn't much joy in giving what somebody buys and wraps for you.
When Jesus says, "A man should lay down his life," I believe He's trying to get us to see that this is where joy and love are found. He's reminding us to release our gifts and graces and let them flow out of us and into others, knowing that as we do, joy and love will come flowing back to us.
—Bob Benson in "See You at the House"
My Response: How has Jesus received my time, love, or thoughts?
Thought to Apply: I became my own only when I gave myself to Another.
—C. S. Lewis (British scholar and writer)
Adapted from "See You at the House" (Generoux, 1986) by permission.
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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You abandoned heaven for me, O Christ; give me the resolve to pour out my life for You.
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