The Gift

I had a most insightful conversation with my five year old son today. He was talking to me about how much he wanted a certain uniform for Christmas. Yep, a uniform!?! I probed further asking him why this gift would be so special. As we talked, I discovered that he thought he'd looked so handsome, pulled together and orderly. Great colour too! He would belong to something bigger with his accomplishments displayed for all to see. Then others too, would see how he belonged there and surely his older brother wouldn't mind him tagging along.

I told him that if he were to get this gift and put it on without belonging, understanding and participating wholeheartedly with the principles and structure of the organization it represented – it would be just a costume - simply another dress-up trunk option.

My mind went further though...

I started to think about this busy, potentially stressful, taxing time of year. Do we just put on Christ like a costume? Churchy, Christianese talk, merely dressing up at our convenience and whim, perhaps out of some sense of obligation? or...

Do we live it? – following the instructions for Christian living in Ephesians 4:22-24:

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

So what does this righteousness look like in action? As always, it is explained further through verses 25-32, here from The Message:

What this adds up to then, is this: no more lies, no more pretence. Tell your neighbour the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself. Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry – but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the devil that kind of foothold in your life. Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work. Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift. Don't grieve God. Don't break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for Himself. Don't take such a gift for granted. Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

It's time to wake up from our slumber (our act) and allow...no, enable... no, embrace... no, invite (maybe re-invite) the Holy Spirit within (again). Christian living is not a costume or an act – but a being – JESUS.

This Christmas season, Come Lord Jesus! Father! Son! Holy Spirit! Come and refill, refresh, reignite that fire that drives us for Your kingdom's come and Your will here on earth. Yes, I put on the armour of God because of You and for You and in doing so, know I need more of You, more time at Your feet. Thank you Lord for Your Living Word, for each breath and every opportunity You provide to catch me being faithful.

You are the Gift – may we be present.

Press in and press on,

Giselle