Open Your Gift - Wholly Loved - December 4

Open Your Gift

By Andrea Chatelain

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

For decades of Christmases I left an unopened gift under the tree, offered by the greatest gift giver of all. But I was scared of it and thought I needed to be in my holiday best to open it. I couldn’t shake that it was really for someone else.

So there it sat…

My Salvation.

My Father waited patiently for me to open it. But I lacked faith.

I wasn’t sure if I needed or wanted His gift. Or if there was anything in the box at all outside of Sunday mornings. So I ignored it and pretended He wasn’t calling out to me. I made excuses and thought I could make my own gift with my hands. But the glue wouldn’t hold.

I tried until the weights of life brought my heart’s eyes down. I saw the gift again. But this time I ran to it and opened it because nothing else would do. There was nothing else I wanted or needed.

So by prayer, Bible reading, and asking the Holy Spirit for help, I had enough faith to open God’s gift of salvation.

Inside the box lay a new set of heavenly clothes purchased at a high price but worth every bit in God’s eyes. I put on my new self found in Christ and looked in the mirror. I saw something unexpected—the me that I was supposed to be from the start. 

When I started running with the gift of forgiveness and mercy and love from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, my feet wanted to fly. And I have faith Jesus will provide the strength and endurance I need to run my best race.

Have you opened your gift?

Andrea Chatelain’s mission is to meet women in their struggles and love them forward with God’s truth. She's part of the Wholly Loved Ministries team, is a Midwest mom of three, faith and family writer, and college English instructor to immigrants and refugees. It’s her joy to lead Bible studies in her neighborhood, church, and community because she believes Jesus transforms lives when His people boldly seek Him. Her writing reflects her love for Jesus and heart for fellow believers. Connect with Andrea more online at Glory-Be.org

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