The anticipation of a gift is my favorite. As a child, I loved knowing that the gift wrapped weeks in advance under the tree was mine to open. I could go check and see it under the branches covered with lights. My name was written in pen, so it wouldn’t change.
Sometimes gifts appeared a night or two before Christmas. Those were amazing as well. Still, there’s something extra special about knowing a gift is already given and on a specific day it can be unwrapped and enjoyed.
Those gifts were already mine, but not yet opened and completely delighted in.
Not everyone has a family or a family that is able to give gifts. Everyone is invited into God’s family and able to enjoy the “already, not yet” gifts! Jesus already gave us salvation, but we have not yet fully delighted in it yet.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Years ago, I was very sick with what turned out to be tuberculosis. Before I received the care I needed from doctors, God led me to Psalm 103:1-5. Verse three assured me that God had already forgiven all my sins through Jesus Christ. My biggest need was already met, so surely God could provide healing if He chose to.
“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— 3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
There are additional gifts I hope have my name on them. Being a good wife and mother someday are two of the gifts I ask for. What are some of the gifts you hope for? Perhaps it is a degree, a job, a home, a spouse, children, or healing for yourself or someone you love. These may or may not be gifts our Father has planned for us. We can trust Him. Any gift He plans to give will be opened and enjoyed.
If He is good, then He gives good gifts.
I’m so thankful! He has already offered us salvation. If we have received that gift by faith in Christ, someday we can open this gift and delight in the Giver all the more. Let’s come with anticipation to our Father!
Grace is a gift.
God is good and He gives good gifts.
Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
A Prayer
Dear God,
Thank You for the gifts You have already given! Thank you for allowing me to also anticipate their full enjoyment. Thank You for rescuing me. I love you. Help me share Your love with others. Most of all, thank You for being Who You say You are! In Christ’s Name, Amen.
Questions
When have you seen an “already, not yet” in your life?
What gift of God are you most aware of right now?
How have you shared Christ with others recently?
Digging Deeper
If you would like to study more about the already, not yet of being a Christ follower, here’s a post shared by David E. Briones for the Westminster Theological Seminary on August 6, 2020.
