The Gift Box

The Gift Box
Author: Barb Barnhart, Preschool Coordinator
Running the Race - Part 2
When presenting the Gospel to young children, we often use a gift box to signify that God gives us the gift of Jesus. A few weeks ago, one of the four-year-olds turned to his leader and said, “I hate to tell them this, but Jesus is too big to fit in that box!” Great insight from a four-year-old.

Often, we place Jesus in a small box in our lives. We pull this box out on Sundays, maybe, and we might see it occasionally during the week. We relegate Jesus to our schedules and desires. The Gospel and what it has done for our lives are not a priority. In the craziness of life, we don’t appreciate all that God has done for us.

Often, we place Jesus in a small box in our lives. In the craziness of life, we don’t appreciate all that God has done for us.

Each of us has to come to terms with what we are going to do with the Gospel, the Good News. God the Father’s perfect plan was designed before the world began. Jesus chose to come to earth to live a sinless life and to willingly sacrifice Himself for each of us. The Holy Spirit is calling us to believe in Jesus as the one and only Savior for our sin problems. To quote a four-year-old, this Gospel “is too big to fit in that box” of our lives.
For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works.
– Titus 2:11-14
We must ask ourselves how we live out this relationship with God. Is there a checklist to follow? Will I get demerits if I don’t check off everything on the list? These questions don’t invite a relationship, they become a plan to be completed by some and given up on by others. We must look to God’s Word to understand what our relationship must be built upon and how to live it out on a daily basis.
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
– Matthew 22:37-39
As you live out this relationship with Jesus, ask yourself, how are you allowing the Gospel to impact your life? Are you reading your Bible and praying on a daily basis? Do you seek others to encourage and disciple you to love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind? Do you love others? This week, seek God with your whole heart and know that He will be found!

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