Just for His Pleasure

I love the Christmas song about the little drummer boy who had no gift for Jesus; nothing, he thought, that was fit for a king. He gave what he had - he played his drum for the baby and then - this is the best line in the song: "then he smiled at me".

I know it's just a song, but I think there is some good theology there. How many times in scripture do we see Jesus taking the little bit that someone had and blessing it to become so much more.

~ the little boy's lunch of five loaves and two fishes

~ the fisherman's empty nets

~ the widow's mite

When was the last time you praised God just because he deserves it? When was the last time you dedicated the least of your talents and gifts to him, trusting him to accept your offering? Is there a part of yourself that you are keeping from him because you think it is not good enough or useful enough?

What will your gift be to him during this season of the celebration of his birth? What gift will you give him simply for his pleasure?

"The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.

He will take great delight in you,

He will quiet you with his love,

He will rejoice over you with singing."   Zephaniah 3:17

That's right. He delights in us. He doesn't want great accomplishments and magnificent displays of giving or service. He just wants us. Our hearts. Our whole hearts. What will you let go of this Christmas and turn over to him? Ask him to show you what you still hold as your own, then ask him for the courage to let go of it. There is nothing too great, to small, too battered and worn and dirty that he won't accept in his nail-scarred hand and redeem and restore to use for his kingdom. 

What is God's pleasure in this holy season? That would be you! Give him the gift of your heart. That is the true spirit of Christmas. 

God bless you this Christmas. 

Sherri