Big Box of Chocolates

I mean, I love chocolate but this box was so huge that I think even I would have struggled to eat through the whole lot in one sitting!

Ephesians 5:1-7

Reference: v.2 walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (TNIV Bible)

Explore:  Some friends of mine came over for dinner a little while ago and brought with them a massive box of top quality chocolates. I mean, I love chocolate but this box was so huge that I think even I would have struggled to eat through the whole lot in one sitting!  After we had finished our evening meal I offered everyone coffee and went to the cupboard to get some sweets to finish off the meal.  Sitting there taking up half a shelf was this huge box of chocolates and I thought, ‘I should open these chocolates and share them around.’  However then I noticed next to the chocolates a no-name brand packet of biscuits that had already been opened.  There were still enough biscuits for everyone to enjoy and so I justified in my head that it was better not to waste the biscuits that were already opened and save the huge box of chocolates for another occasion.  Now, every time I go to my cupboard and see this huge box of chocolates I realize how selfish I had been by giving my friends and guests the second rate option.

Application:  So often in our lives we give God the second rate option too.  When it comes to spending time with Him we give him a quick 30 seconds at the end of the day as we’re falling asleep, instead of giving Him our undivided attention when we’re at our best.  Often when it comes to our giving we give God whatever is left in our wallets at the end of the pay period, instead of setting aside the best of what we have been blessed with.  In contrast, when we look at how God gives we notice that He truly does give of His best.  When God sent us a Saviour He didn’t send us His second cousin’s uncle’s sister’s  nephew twice removed.  No, He gave us His very best… His only son.  And so, in response to how much God loved us, we have the chance to give our very best too.  Not our second rate, already opened packet of no-name biscuits but the top shelf chocolates that everyone desires.

Prayer:  Lord, You have truly given us everything.  Forgive us when we only give you our second best.  May we strive to give You our all everyday.  Amen.

How can you give God your very best today?

Ephesians