So, it’s my birthday today… well by the time you read this it will be yesterday… but for right now – the celebration is ongoing. My husband has spoiled me this weekend with jewelry, some clothes, a trip to Atlanta on Friday that included lunch at Maggiano’s and a very large piece of cheese cake. He did piles of laundry and the biggest surprise of all – a new Emile Henry pie plate. Its green and white porcelain. I am in love.
Its really about pumpkin and pecan and coconut cream, just to name a few. This was a gift filled with expectations. There ARE strings attached to my birthday pie plate.
Not long from now we will take part in the biggest birthday celebration known to mankind. Its the birthday of Jesus. He came as a tiny baby, God’s gift to us. But His birth was highly anticipated. The people of Israel had been waiting and foretelling the arrival of the Messiah for many, many years. Certainly there were expectations.
Not many understood His destiny, but He knew his life would be required. It was the greatest gift, given for the whole world. Through His death, burial and resurrection salvation was provided for all. Let me be clear on this point: it is a gift that can not be earned. There is nothing to be done, other than repent and receive.
Ephesians 2:8&9: For by grace are you saved through faith and that not of yourselves. Its is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.
Amazing – this is the present from our Heavenly Father, wrapped in love and tied up with bows of grace and mercy. But, I’ve been thinking. It seems that, while it is received by faith, maybe there are some expectations…
Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
When I was a teenager, I remember hearing someone preach, “This is God’s gift for you. Free of charge. No strings attached.” And I don’t really believe that last statement is true anymore. It is a free gift. There’s no way to work enough or to be sinless enough to gain it. But…. Ephesians 2:10.
Truly, I have to remind my heart daily of this: His sacrifice on the cross, deserves nothing less than what He desires. He created me with specific good works in mind that call for sacrificial living. And how can I really give him anything less?
I can’t. Oh, its disgraceful how often I offer Him much, much less. But even then, in my selfishness He speaks to my heart. With lovingkindness He draws me away to a secret place where once again He plants the seeds of good works in my heart. He gently reminds me of the things that He has called me to do.
The gift of love that He has given me has this expectation: that I will love Him in return with my whole life.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for celebrating my 35th birthday with me today, reminding me of this beautiful gift You have given. Let me live as an expression of love for you. amen.
daily portion 