The Gift

Once upon a time there was a boy whose Father came home from a trip with a gift.  The boy’s eyes lit up as he imagined what might be inside.  The bright wrapping paper and the big box only encouraged his imagination.  But to the Father’s surprise, his son decided not to open the gift until the morning saying, “I just want to enjoy being excited about the gift a little longer.”  The Father said, “Suit yourself.  It is your gift.”  

The boy went to bed and could hardly sleep.  He was so excited for morning to come when he could open his surprise.  But when morning came, he thought to himself, “It is so fun being excited may be I will wait to open the gift once I return from school.”  All day he day dreamed about his gift.  It made a long, boring day at school pass much more quickly.  And perhaps that is why he decided to wait until the next morning to open his gift.  But, you guessed it, when morning came he decided to wait until after school. 

And so it went day after day.  Each day he promised himself he would open the gift the next day.  Until one day, he forgot.  Weeks, then months, then years went by and everyone once in a while he would think of the unwrapped gift with his name on it from his Father, but now he did not open it not because he enjoyed the excitement, but because it held no excitement for him at all. 

The boy grew up to become a man.  He moved out of the house.  One day the Father was cleaning out his son’s room, when he found the unwrapped gift.  He thought back to the business trip and how he had picked out the perfect gift for his boy; at least, for that time of his life.  “Well,” the Father thought, “I guess it is the thought that counts and he picked up the still wrapped gift to his son and threw it in the trash with other unwanted items of his son’s past life at home.” 

Whoever heard of a boy who won’t open a gift?  What’s wrong with that kid?  I am writing this story and even I want to know what was inside the gift.  “Open it for crying out loud!”  I want to shout to the son.  Why would you not receive what the Father gave you?  Why would you not at least open it up and see what it is?

I wonder if we can hear the heavenly Father asking the same questions of you and me as his children.  In John 16:33, Jesus says, “I have overcome the world.”  He does not say “I will” overcome…no he says, “I have overcome.”  I wonder if I am like the boy in the story in my relationship with Christ.  Am I waiting to open a gift from the Father that has already been delivered?  Am I praying for strength that he has already given?  Am I looking for peace that he has already purchased?  Am I longing for promises that he has already fulfilled?  Am I looking for him do to something that has already been done? 

Bless the Lord for he has already overcome!