The Ultimate Gift

When you think of your favorite gift, what comes to mind? Growing up, I knew exactly what my favorite gift was. It was my pony, I really wanted a horse, but a pony would do. This was something my sister and I begged for when we were young. When we did get our ponies, we were tickled to pieces. I will never forget the feeling of excitement and anticipation when we received such an awesome gift! We asked for it for so long, and we thought maybe it would never come true, but when it did it was fabulous!

While I was growing up, I never thought that I would ever receive another present that would bring me as much joy as my pony did. I did have other great gifts. My first car was awesome; my first horse (not a pony) was the best; getting married was the perfect gift, and having children was one of life’s greatest gifts. Even though I know I can list other great gifts such as, jewelry, my saddle, cowboy boots, clothing, none of these gifts prepared me for the ultimate gift I received 15 yrs ago. The one that would change my life forever.

I received the gift of God’s love and salvation in March of 1999. I received this free gift that didn’t cost any money, I didn’t have to go shopping, or choose which one I liked the best. Here was this ultimate gift that brought me more joy than my pony, more love than the day I got married, and more comfort than anyone could give me. It’s a gift I was completely unprepared for. A present I felt I didn’t deserve, but God gave it to me anyways because He loved me. A gift that changed my life and changed my way of thinking. It’s a gift that taught me the importance of life and what was worth living for. A gift that is sometimes you find it hard to explain but it is one gift that you know you want everyone to receive. Just because you know what this gift has done for your life.

God’s gift of salvation is amazing, wonderful, exciting, emotional, beautiful, unpredictable, yet scary, crazy fun, and it’s just for you and me. That’s why it’s called the ultimate gift. Nothing, you ever receive in your life time from anyone, will top God’s gift of salvation. He died and shed his blood, so we could live with him forever! Have you received this ultimate gift yet? If not what are you waiting for?? This is one gift you want to rip off the wrapping paper just to see what God has in store for you next.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift.” II Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)