“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
Yesterday was Christmas Day; perhaps someone has already asked you, “What did you get?” This is the only birthday party I know of where the guests get the presents, rather than the One celebrating the birthday. Christmas has become so commercialized that it is all too easy to leave Christ out of the birthday celebration altogether.
I’m sure you received many Christmas gifts this year, and I hope you gave many to others as well. But here’s the most important question: What did you give to the One celebrating His birthday?
Let me encourage you with these words from the psalmist:
My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways. (Psalm 23:26)
Now, that’s a gift that does not come from a store, but it will cost you everything. Jesus wants only your heart, because He knows that where you heart is, there your treasure will be also. Jesus is the greatest treasure the world has ever known. Jesus is the Christmas gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving. Jesus gives us His love, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness, His joy . . . and as if that wasn’t enough, He gives us Himself! As disciples of Jesus, we have both His presence and His power to live the life He is calling us to live with freedom, joy, and faithfulness to Him.
So as you thank your Lord for all you received this Christmas season, take a moment to think about the one thing Jesus wants from you: your heart. That’s all . . . just your heart. He wants your heart to beat for nothing smaller than Him; but when it does beat for those lesser loves, you can come running back to Him, knowing that He has forgiven you fully and loves you unconditionally.
May the confession of our lives be as we read it in these words from David:
Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. (Psalm 62:8)
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 