Playing with the paper

1Pe 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

1Pe 3:2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

1Pe 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

1Pe 3:4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Each year as Christmas nears I think back to my oldest daughter's first and second Christmas. Nearly fourteen years ago this young girl (nearly young woman) was a toddler beginning to experience life. The first year we had to teach her how to open a gift. We guided her through the process, but the second year she had it down. Year three she was on auto-pilot.

The first Christmas, we went all out. We bought every gift we could afford and then a few more for good measure. This was our baby and we wanted her life to be filled with all kinds of wonderful things and trinkets. When Christmas came she was so overwhelmed with all those bows. Bows, and paper, and ribbons, and bows! Here look at this neat toy we bought you. No, give me that bow and take this other neat gift. Year two was only slightly better.

Then year three came and she knew under all the glitz and glamour, there was something more important. So it is with church.

Far too often we are like my daughter as a toddler or one of the wives described in the passage above. We are caught up in the exterior wrappings of our faith and forget the God of our faith. We come to church for all kinds of reasons. We have a great Sunday school class that enjoys close fellowship. We have a passionate preacher. We have the most enjoyable music. We have a beautiful building. We have, we have, and we have. Some do not come to church because they feel the opposite about the above mentioned things. I pray you church has all or most of the positives. I also pray that you realize they are worthless without the presence of God. There is more to these blessings. These blessings are only the bows, and paper, and ribbons, and bows! Is our Heavenly Father trying to get us to give up the bow for the real present? Only you can answer that in your life. Do you have a concern for the hidden man of the heart?

In a few days, we will give gifts once again to a nearly 16-year old. The paper will be removed in short order and the gift will be the important thing. One day, she may even become more like her father, and just want the gift unwrapped because I can hardly wait. I remember feeling that way in church. I cannot wait for the singing to be over and the preaching to begin. I love to sing but to hear from God and His perfect Word is for more a got to have it item.

So I close and ask, are you playing with the paper, or enjoying the gift?