It’s that time of the year again, when you compile your list of recipients, make plans and buy gifts for family, friends and….wait a minute…
I need to actually review my list and check out who made it in this year.
It appears I have been spending money buying gifts for the same set of people every year. While some recipients are genuinely appreciative, some other ones manage to let out some shallow ‘thank- you’ but really it’s obvious they do not appreciate the gifts.
Well, this year, I need to pause a little while and ask myself some serious questions begging for honest answers. Why am I giving out these gifts and who should I be sending gifts to?
I’ll like to ask myself; If I ask the Lord who should be on my list this year would His list be different from mine?
What will He have to say about my list? He probably will ask me for the motive behind my giving. Honestly the motives might not be far-fetched;
– Please people, remain in their good books.
– Prove a point to someone, who might actually never change their minds about me anyway
– Give them because they also gave me last year…..
And some other reasons best known to me..
Who will the Holy Spirit have me extend a hand of love and care to this Christmas?
– An unbelieving neighbour?
– A gang member across the street?
– A lonely single Mum or Dad?
– Uncared for kids in my neighbourhood?
– Someone around desperately seeking for love and a sense of value and self worth?
– Homeless folks?
– A self proclaimed enemy who will never expect anything from me?
The list of unlikely recipients goes on and on.
Matthew 25:40
The Message (MSG)
37-40 “Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’
I am only saying, do something different this year, obey God and let Him answer someone’s prayer through you. Be there as God’s instrument to show someone he or she is also cared for this Christmas season.
This is a seed for the Holy Spirit to brood on in your hearts this season.
Merry Christmas!
–
‘Laolu Oyeyemi.