The Perfect Gift

Romans 12:1 (The Message)
So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.

(Ignore the fact that this verse is at the start of chapter 12. It should have been 11:37 for it is the conclusion, the "therefore" of the chapter which preceded it.)

As I read through Romans 11:33-36 and 12:1, this is where my mind is wandering…

I am strolling around Hugedale, taking my time, soaking in the season. I am in no hurry. My Christmas shopping is done  Ah, a bench is open. I sit, lower my head, and close my eyes in prayer. The giggles of children snuggle in around me. I begin to give thanks for the many gifts and blessings I have received from my King this year. There are so many. How can I begin to list them all?

What should I get my King for Christmas? Talk about a guy who has everything! Who has ever given to God something He doesn't already have? What store could I possibly go into to buy Him something He doesn't already have in abundance, or could create in an instant if He felt so inclined?

He has showered me with gifts and love all year long. How can I show my love for Him? I have been into every store in Hugedale and can find nothing worthy of a gift back to God.

Then it comes to me. The one thing God wants from me is not in any store. I won't find it on Amazon.com either. It is here sitting on this bench. It is the one thing God does not already have in abundance. Sure, I surrendered by spirit to Him when I became a Christian. But He does not have my body…not all of it…not yet.

Becoming a living, continual offering to God means putting my body where my mouth is. Giving my self to Him is the one thing He wants from me for Christmas. This isn't like an altar call…not an act of the moment…not a one time thing.  It is a commitment for the rest of my life.

To: King Jesus. I offer you my body as a living sacrifice. It doesn't have any wrappings…no pretty bow. I hope it pleases you "as is". Take it all. It is all I have and it is yours to keep for all eternity.

And the Lord said, "Wow! Thanks! This is exactly what I have always wanted. This is the perfect gift. It is the one thing I have been waiting for your entire life."

Merry Christmas