Many times in my life I have not been able to get to know certain people because I didn't like how they were "wrapped." They were so different than me, and how they ministered seemed to be a bit crazy. I have noticed something late in life... God seems to anoint people I wouldn't. And I am learning that just maybe they are doing something right after all. It's time we get past the wrapping paper and find the true gift in each other. Lately, God
is bringing people back into my life so I can help unwrap their gift and help bring it forth to bless even my own life.
There's Always Something In The Box
There was a father who had a little daughter who was wrapping his Christmas gift with the most expensive wrapping paper in the house. He didn't say anything to her because he loved her. On Christmas morning, the father began to open his gift from his daughter, and as he unwrapped the gift and opened the lid of that little box, he found nothing in it. He was so upset, he lost it and blew up at his little girl. He said, "Honey, you used the most expensive
wrapping paper we had to wrap my gift and there is nothing in the box!" The little girl responded and said, "Daddy, that box isn't empty, I blew kisses in it for you. I blew kisses in it for you, daddy!"
Not long after, the little girl was killed in an accident. When the father was so depressed, he would open up the lid of that little box and reach inside and pull out an imaginary kiss. Listen carefully...there is always something in the box! God has made every person on earth in His image, and even when we think someone has no value or has no gift, there is always something precious in every person. Many times we just don't see it.
We also need to get past one another's gifts and get to know each other. Our gifts can actually hide us and hinder people from getting to know us. I believe many of the most gifted in the Body of Christ are the loneliest. It's lonely at the top. They can't help feeling that people are after their gifts instead of loving them for who they are. I believe God is taking us from paper to people. I believe the greatest gift we can have on Earth is a
friend.
Perhaps our greatest call is being a friend of God, a friend to sinners and a friend to others. God wants us to be known for who we are, not for what we do. The more I am around people and love them for who they are, their gifts begin to be activated, and so do mine!
Morning Impressions...
