Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet? Whether yes or no, I have one can’t-miss gift giving idea for you. It has to do with a gift we can give God. But why would God need a gift from us? He is God after all and he has access to whatever he wants. Stay tuned to find out.
Today’s verse is from Luke 1:48-49:
From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.
In this passage, Mary rejoiced that she, a humble woman of little means, would be chosen to give birth to Jesus. God literally can do anything. And He wants to do things for us. But before He does so, He wants something from us.
Before we reveal what that is, one more thought…..think about the greatest thing burdening you right now. Maybe it is family turmoil or career stress. Maybe it is your health or a conflict with a friend. Take just a little time and think of one thing that is troubling you deeply.
Now for the gift: take 5 minutes and give that burden to God. That’s it. Just give it to God. But don’t just say something like “God, this thing is really bothering me. Please help me.”. That’s just checking a box, not really and truly giving it to God completely.
Giving it up sounds something like this: “God, I’m really struggling with [insert your issue] and I want to give it to you. I mean it. I’m really giving it to you. Not just so you will relieve me of the burden but because I want you to know I trust you. I want you to know that you are MY King and I’ve given my life to you. I will let go of the wheel because I know you are in control. I may not immediately agree with or understand where it goes from here if I give up control because I don’t fully know your plan for me. But I do know that one day I’ll look back with gratitude for the paths where you have lead me. It is not going to be easy for me but You already know that. Wherever you lead, I will follow. I know that your plan for my life is perfect even though I get distracted frequently and follow different paths. Please release me completely from the burden of [insert your issue] just as I release it completely into your loving hands.”
That’s the kind of prayer you say when you are REALLY serious about giving it up to God. And to God, that is the perfect gift you can give Him this Christmas.
Questions:
- Do you agree that God cherishes the gift of turning our burdens over to him? Why or why not?
- How good are you about truly giving things up to God? Is God your pilot, your co-pilot, or sitting somewhere in the back?
- If you are comfortable sharing with the group, what is something you need to turn over to God?
- When you turn something over to God does that mean you check-out completely and never think about it again?
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