Wow! Is this true? We’ve been given everything we need for life and godliness – EVERYTHING!

Do we fully grasp this truth and live out of it? Do we see with spiritual eyes the blessings God has already bestowed on us?

During the recent holiday, I was enjoying my first cup of Joe, and I envisioned a beautifully shaped, fully adorned Christmas tree, with a thousand twinkling lights.

Underneath the tree – my tree – lay hundreds of gifts piled high, precious and priceless. My Heavenly Father was there waiting patiently for me to open the gifts that He had chosen for me.

I know I wait expectantly with great joy to see my own children open their Christmas gifts that I’ve hunted for, bought and lovingly wrapped for them, homemade bows and all.

But what if those gifts never got opened? What if the gifts just sat under the tree ignored, forgotten, overlooked? That’s impossible, right? But sometimes I think that is exactly what we do in our lives as believers.

Can you imagine passing up the athletic gifts of a LeBron, or Serena, or Brady? Ridiculous – right? But spiritually, that’s what we often pass up – incredible gifts that will bless us and others immeasurably.

In 2 Peter 1:3, it tells us we’ve been given everything for life and godliness. Athlete, you and I have been showered with incredible gifts that are waiting to be opened, but sadly – out of ignorance, immaturity or spiritual indifference – we often leave the packages unopened.

For the Christian, every day is like Christmas morning. God calls us to wake up and come see what He has graciously and lovingly wrapped for us for that day.

In 2 Peter 1:4, it tells us the purpose of His generous gifting: so that we may “participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world …”

We can have renewed minds, be filled with His Spirit, grow eternal fruit in our lives and become like Christ – SANCTIFIED!

Reflect: What gift will you open today?

A prayer to consider: Lord, teach me to come to you every day expecting a gift!