A Special Gift

Colossians 1:21-23 (MSG)
At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got.  But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! You stay grounded and steady in that bond of trust, constantly tuned in to the Message, careful not to be distracted or diverted. There is no other Message—just this one. Every creature under heaven gets this same Message. I, Paul, am a messenger of this Message. 

There have been just a few times in my life that I was given a gift, and while appreciative to some extent, I really had no idea how valuable that present was. I smiled and said thanks and then thrust it to the side while moving on to something else. I can't imagine how disappointed the giver must have felt. We joke sometimes, at the child who plays with the box instead of the special toy the box housed.

When God sent His Son to us, the world did much the same thing. Not recognizing, Jesus as God, the people cast Him aside. Now, more than 2000 years later we still do that. For years, I went my own way, living life however I pleased, not giving a second thought to the precious gift of salvation. Not considering my future, only obsessed with myself, with my back turned to God.

But, the day came when my rebellious thoughts and actions were taken captive. My new attitude came once I had lived through more pain than necessary. My heart turned to the One who could help, when I was at my lowest; when I cried out, "Is this all there is?" Then God revealed His Son to my wandering spirit. Nothing has ever been the same.

Because of Jesus our lives are changed, our future is bright and beautiful.  Our today is hope-filled and stuffed with joy.


Colossians 1:15-23