Highway Robbery

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 

There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

1 Corinthian 12:4-7

Packed up for a Christmas like Santa's overflowing sack, we made our way from Alabama to Kansas for Christmas. Our "sleigh" included car topper stuffed with presents. Mr. Claus (i.e. my dad) made a last minute mall stop and came out to find his pack stolen. 


Sometimes our gifts get stolen but the their thief isn't a grinch and the gifts belong at the foot of crossed beams not a decorated tree. We rob ourselves of spiritual gifts.

Each of us who follow Jesus, were granted a unique set of God-given gifts the day we said "I do" to Him. We can possess these gifts and still have them stolen. The two primary culprits are envy and inactivity.


Stolen by Envy


I don't remember exactly how my parents went about replacing those presents last minute but like every Christmas miracle they managed to pull it off. I'm certain those eleventh hour substitutions weren't identical to the originals but I don't remember a single relative complaining about what they opened.


They didn't complain because they didn't know what they were missing. Their eyes were focused on what they did receive and not on what they didn't. 


Envy deprives us from enjoying our own gifts. When we get start looking at others, our own abilities seem lacking. But when we peer only in our own box, we are completely satisfied with its contents.


Stolen by Inactivity


This week we've traversed the country with a little car topper of our own. Our hump makes the car easily identifiable across a parking lot but I've made sure it remained empty when we weren't actually on the highway. 


Just possessing a luggage compartment does no good if it's kept empty. This is like gifts God gives us that we are too scared, timid or insecure to use. Inactivity steals our gift's effectiveness as if they were never there.


Let's stop committing highway robbery. Open your sack. See what's inside. God's perfect gifts are planted inside.

Shelf Life

Psalm 40:4 Blessed is the (woman) who makes the LORD (her) trust

Christmas shopping.  Believe it or not I've already started it.  Holiday procurement was far simpler when I was an elementary student.  The PTA hosted a store.  My mom gave me money.  My retail excursion was complete in a matter of minutes.

My kids have taken part in these as well.  One of Scott's prized possessions is his hulkish figurine holding up the words, "Incredible Dad".  I still love the plastic "diamond" ring Hannah (15) gave me one Christmas.  She was so distressed when her younger sister wore it to school and lost it, she bought me an identical one the next year.  Its' stone may not have been real but the love it was wrapped in was.

Shopping for treasures in the cafeteria was a pleasure shared by all my siblings as well.  I remember the Christmas a hokie present was opened by one sibling.  This present found a place of "honor" inside the bedroom closet behind closed doors.

I was reflecting today on the gifts of writing and speaking God chose to give me.  For so long I rejected the gift.  I kept trying to return it to the cafeteria store and believe me the PTA gives NO refunds.  I also tried to shelve it.  I hoped if I ignored it, it would simply go away. 

I witnessed the look on the other sibling's face when the gift was shoved in the closet.  Hurt.  Disappointed.  Rejected.  I wonder if that's how God feels when I take the gifts He's showered on me and try to downplay or cover them.

God desires for me to use my gifts with confidence.  He wants me to open the closet, grab the gift and proudly display it on the coffee table.  Not for my glory.  For His.

Jesus, I'm sorry I tried to reject Your present.  I never meant to hide it either.  Help me have the courage to unshelve Your gifts permanently.  When I do, this adventure of faith goes from shelf to life.

What gifts, talents and abilities do you need to take out of storage?