Give Jesus Your Strawberries
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the work of truth.” -2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
This year my oldest daughter will become 25 years old. One has a tendency to reflect on days long ago, when our children are older than we think they should be. When Shanna was 3 ½ years old we went to a local sandwich shop where she had a strawberry ice cream cone. We were talking about food, weight, things food for you, and a full tummy. We also talked about Jesus loving us and that he lived in our hearts (this being much of what she was hearing in Sunday School). It was fun to see her interest and understanding about some of these things. She had just stated that she was getting full when she hit a BIG strawberry. As she ate it she informed me that the strawberry wasn’t for her tummy but for Jesus in her heart.
It was cute and moving for Dad, and I’m sure that at least in part “you had to be there” to really get the joy from the experience. However, the lessons one could draw from the moment are numerous, and there is one with which I want to set your thinking in motion.
Shanna shared pretty well for a 3 1/2 year old, and she loved strawberries. But she in her own mind shared the biggest find of the day “with Jesus.” She gave Him the very best! Do we do that? Do we share the biggest and the best with Jesus? We sing the hymn, “Give of your best to the Master.” Do we really give Him our best? Pick an area, do we give the best of our material blessings, our physical efforts, our emotional or spiritual wealth and on down the line. Do we give Jesus the best?
The temptation is to keep the best for ourselves. The trend in our society is very me oriented. Do you give the best you can give? Do you give of the best of your finances, rather than what’s left? Do you worship in Spirit and Truth, or just show up because “that’s what Christians do?” What about you’re family and personal devotions, your study time in the Word, your prayer life, do you give your best? Are you really seeing God’s will for your life or simply trying to superimpose your will on Him? He deserves the best!
Our efforts will come under attack, but the choice is yours, the choice is mine. This year, and every year, I want to encourage you to give Jesus the BIG strawberries in your life.
Prayer: Father forgive us when we fail to give the best to you. Please, help us to have the determination and courage to seek the best for you, and for your honor and glory. Amen
Rev. Mark Jervis
Pastor
First Baptist Church
Gillette, WY
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