Some Assembly Required
The toy store shelves are stocked with toys. Toy commercials are filling the television screen, as are the flyer’s filling our mailboxes. A huge reminder not to forget the requests that have been “hinted” at throughout the year. Actually, two of my grandsons don’t normally “request” things from TV or things they’ve seen in a sale paper. However, I recently received a toy book from a certain department store and those two little fellows have poured over that book as if it held some secret to a lost treasure. They have pointed out several things that they would like to have. “Please Nana?”
There is one thing most all these toys have in common, they require some assembly. These toys will come with instructions, some even have diagrams. But you must put forth some effort before Christmas morning in order for the gift to be fully enjoyed. You can’t just hand them the box and a wrench or screwdriver and say, “have at it” or “Merry Christmas!” You must assemble the gift in order for them to enjoy it.
We have a gift that has been made available to us that is already fully assembled. It was assembled in heaven as a decision was made to become one of us. He became a baby, born to a young girl that was possibly as fearful of childbirth as I was. And I had a hospital. She had none. What she had though, was a word from God through the angel Gabriel…..God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to Mary…a young virgin. When he (the angel) went to Mary, he greeted her with a startling announcement.
“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28 NIV)
His greeting troubled her. She must have stood there with a bewildered look on her face because Gabriel continues with “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.” See……He is always watching!
He goes on to explain the hows and whys of the “gift” she is about to receive. Instructions. This gift she receives is from God in heaven, and He shares this precious Gift, His Son, with the world through the virgin birth. Through a willing vessel. A vessel that pleased God.
The prophet Isaiah foretold this in Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” He gave us a sign. Instructions.
“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. ” Isaiah 9:6
As Jesus so patiently and lovingly explained to Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The greatest gift. Already assembled. The instructions are for the receiver. Not the giver. We are “instructed” how to receive this gift. We are instructed on the details of the “care and responsibility” of this incredible gift. It is not a gift we receive and put on a shelf never to be thought of again. This one is for “everyday of our lives”. Receiving this gift will enable us to become the vessels that please the “Giver”.
The gift is Salvation. Through God’s one and only Son. The instructions are God’s Word. Inside we have instructions in extreme detail on how to live our lives to please the Father. How to cope in crisis. How to face dark times. How to deal with adversity. How to endure heartache. How to pray….how to live….it is up to us ….we must read the instructions if we are going to be assembled properly. Proper assembly will determine the strength of the vessel. Improper assembly will definitely show up in our day to day lives. If we skip the instructions and try and put it all together just by what it looks like on others….we just might miss a few steps. We just might fail. We just might break. Receive the gift. Use the tools. Read the instructions. The end result will please the Gift Giver.
Dear Lord Jesus, my heart’s desire is to be the woman you would have me to be. The mother and daughter you created me for. A willing vessel, usable, completely assembled for Your glory. Don’t let me miss a step. Keep my focus clear. When my mind wanders and wants to just be finished….remind me that every step, every process is for a reason. You are creating us as You see fit. Steady me and keep me centered on You. My Lord and Savior. Thank You Father for the Gift of eternal life through Your only Son, Jesus. I am thrilled beyond words to be a recipient of Your love and mercy. Help me to share Your Gift with others. In Your most Holy name I pray~Amen.
Trusting Him,
Thanks for sharing, bless you.
Amen
Angie,
A willing vessel. Awesome. Thank you.
Thanks for his grace to us
Angie…
THAT was beautiful!
Already assembled perfectly…
what a GIFT!
you are a blessing sister!
lori
“A willing vessel, usable, completely assembled for Your glory…”
I love this post Angie, especially your prayer at the end. My mother often told me,”God is not looking for vessels of silver nor God but vessels that are willing to be used by him.”
God bless