We received a Christmas box from some very special friends. Now I have a dilemma. Do I or do I not have the self-discipline to wait until Christmas before opening it? There it sits on the kitchen counter taunting me. Each time I pass by it whispers, “Hey, I’m here. I have goodies inside. Come on. You don’t have to tell your friends you opened it. They live in Florida. They won’t know.” My wife doesn’t help. She opines that there might be something perishable in that box and to delay wouldn’t be a good idea. However, there is something to be said for waiting. This could be an exercise in character development. But then again at my age do I really need to build any more character? Perhaps I could excuse myself by asserting at my age the end could come at any moment and if I wait I might never know the contents. Then there is the issue of thanks. If I open it now I can express my thanks to my friends prior to the time when they will be inundated with thanks from others. I don’t want my thanks to be lost in the volume.
One of the wonders Jesus wanted us to understand is that His gift to us does not have to wait until some future time. He wants us to experience the joy and benefits now. Note John 5:24. “He that hears my word, and believes on him that sent me, has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” Eternity begins the moment we accept His gracious offer made possible by His sacrifice. The gift is now. The fruit of the gift is forever.
Written by Roger Bothwell on December 8, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org