More Than a Box

My grandson Caleb came into our family as a wonderful surprise. As one of his older sisters put it, “It doesn’t matter how you come into the family. Once you’re here, you’re in. We are family.”

Last year, Caleb turned three. With three older sisters preparing him for the wonders of birthday presents, he knew something exciting was coming. For weeks, his anticipation grew. Late on the morning of his birthday party, my daughter called. “Can you and Oma come over and help us get ready for Caleb’s party?”

Our grandchildren call my wife, Liz, “Oma,” and they call me “Opa.” We are fortunate to live about four miles from our daughter, son-in-law, and four grandchildren, so we headed over to help. Earlier that week, Oma had carefully packed Caleb’s birthday gifts into a fairly large box, wrapped it in bright birthday paper, and topped it with colorful bows. I loaded it into the car, and off we went.

When we arrived, I made a rookie mistake: I carried the beautifully wrapped box into the house and placed it in the middle of the living room floor. Caleb came running. Of course he wanted to open it! It was his birthday, it was his present, and he wanted to know what was inside. My daughter said, “Opa, if you’ll watch Caleb, Oma and I will get everything ready.” That left me with the difficult task of telling a three-year-old, “You have to wait until your party to open your present.”

For the next couple of hours, Caleb tried every approach he could imagine to persuade me otherwise. I quickly realized I should have left the box in the car. He was curious—and, before long, so was I. Oma had taken care of the gifts, and I had no idea what she had put inside. Now Caleb’s excitement had stirred my own curiosity. Finally, the time came. Caleb opened his presents, and the party was a success. I cannot imagine him going to bed that night willingly leaving that box unopened.

That experience reminds me of a promise we find in Acts 2:38–39:

> Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”  
> —Acts 2:38–39, NIV

When we place our faith in Jesus Christ, God forgives us, gives us new life, and makes His home in us through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit works within us to make us holy, deepen our love for God and others, and equip us to serve. The Holy Spirit is more than a gift to acknowledge. He is God’s living presence within us. He also gives spiritual gifts to build up the church and advance God’s kingdom. Yet how often do we receive this extraordinary blessing without exploring what God desires to do in and through us? It is a little like leaving Caleb’s present unopened. Through the death and resurrection of His Son, God has given us new life. Praise God, death could not hold Jesus! He arose, He lives, and His Spirit is at work among us today.

So why leave the box unopened? How long have we allowed the gifts God has entrusted to us to remain unexplored or unused? What might happen if we prayerfully asked, “Lord, what have You given me, and how can I use it for Your glory?” Open the box! Seek God in prayer. Study His Word. Listen for the Spirit’s leading. Invite fellow believers to help you recognize your gifts, and begin putting them to work in loving service.

I believe God is doing a new thing among the people called Methodist. Friends, it is time to respond. It is time to discover the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us and use them with faith, humility, and love. Let the celebration begin! Open the box, explore the gifts, and watch what God can do.

When I visit Caleb now, that birthday box is gone. Its contents have been opened, enjoyed, and put to use. If a three-year-old understands the joy of opening a gift, what are we waiting for? What are we, as the Global Methodist Church, waiting for? God is calling us to participate in His work. What spiritual gifts has He given you? How are you using them to glorify God and serve others?

Open the box today!

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.