Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17
“Do you see how God’s generosity is described here? It says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift” that is given to us is from “the Father of lights.” Our Father is the provider of gifts to His children. And His gifts are “good” and “perfect.” God the Father’s gifs are “good” because they are also what are best for us. And they are also “perfect” because God knows us perfectly. God the Father is never stingy, never holds back, but is incredibly generous. His gifts are always “good” and “perfect.”
If we began to number God’s gifts to us, we would end up with a pretty lengthy list. Every breath you breathe is a “good” and “perfect” gift from God. Every day you have life is also a gift. Even each second of the day is a gift from your Father. The people in your life are God’s gift to you to help you through life. You can look around you and just about everything you find is a gift from God…The reason He gives you these gifts is because He’s your Father and He is generous.”
Joel Bruce in Our Generous God: Discover God’s Generosity to You in Christ (Bloomington: Westbow, 2011) 61.
I am safely home and profoundly thankful for many “good” and “perfect” gifts from God. To name a few, I am thankful for the gift of life as I learned a woman in our church died of cancer while I have been teaching in South Korea. Every day of life is a “good” and “perfect” gift of God.
I am thankful for the gift of sleep. I slept seven hours on my flight over the Pacific. I have never slept seven hours on a flight! The stewardess had to wake me up. Of course, then when went to bed after I got home, I only slept about four hours and woke up wide awake, at 2:30am. God help me adjust.
I am thankful for the gift of grace, which in biblical terms is unmerited kindness. I emptied myself in service to my students on 8 days of teaching and in preaching 6 times and returned home enriched with joy and enthusiasm because of the love, prayers, and hospitality I received.
I am thankful for my gift of family. Jenni and I along with Sammy, Sophie fly to the East Coast tomorrow to spend the week at Camp Spofford in New Hampshire. I will give eight lessons on spiritual formation for families based on Deuteronomy 6:4-9, and ask them to help me with illustrations from our own journey.
I named a few things. What “good” and “perfect” gifts are you thankful for today? Share a short list with someone or take turns sharing whatever comes to mind.