by Richelle Hecker

Receiving God’s gift with joy.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Gift exchanges often cause me a high amount of anxiety. There’s the obvious worry of whether the recipient will like the gift I give them, or that I will not like the gift I am given and fail to appropriately conceal the fact.  Also I fear I may love a gift I’ve received, but that I will not express my thanks enthusiastically enough. Larger apprehensions come when I suspect gifts have strings attached. If a gift is extravagant, I am concerned that I can not reciprocate in kind or that there are expectations placed on me that I can not fulfill.

God gave us the gift of the Holy Spirit, and His gift is extravagant indeed! Through the Holy Spirit we have the promise of salvation, sanctification, eternity with God in Paradise, and more. I can’t even afford to repay a trip to Disney World right now, let alone that! It can be difficult to believe that His gift comes freely, and without expectations.  Anything we give is in response to what He has done for us, but it never comes close to reciprocation. This sounds simple, but it makes many people uncomfortable. It is easy to catch yourself attempting to earn this gift that is freely given. I’ve spoken with many people who are afraid God will take this gift away, because they can not be good enough to deserve it.

“The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” 
Romans 8:15 New International Version

Because of the gift of the Holy Spirit we are adopted, and accepted fully, as God’s children. We do not need to live with the fear that He will change His mind. He did not bring us in as slaves that need to earn their spot in His household. He calls us His children and we call Him Father. He adopted us knowing the failures of our pasts, and all our future sins as well. Rest assured that His gift is the best gift you’ll ever receive. Enjoy it!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado