A Gift
[posted October 2, 2007 • 06:13AM • Bill Gibson]

I have a hard time receiving. I would much rather give than get. Before you start cringing, I will admit that is not always the case. I mean, if we are "getting" for ourselves, then it's is a different story. I am a gadget geek and I used to give gifts to myself all the time, but I'm not talking about gadgets, and I am not talking about getting for "me." What I am talking about the humbling feeling of "receiving" a gift from someone else — like an unexpected outcome or a pleasant surprise.

Sometimes this feeling comes about when we are hopeful of receiving, and sometimes when we are wishing for a particular outcome. But still, in that moment of exchange, it is hard sometimes to receive.

Why do you think that is?

Does it mean that because we allow ourselves to receive something that we did not earn all of the sudden we are admitting we are unable or incapable to take care of all our needs? Perhaps sometimes this is the case. In my own life, I must admit, I have felt this way.

But there are some things in this crazy life that we are completely unable and incapable of doing. There are things going on that are much bigger than our own little world. In other words, no matter how much we think of ourselves as such, we are NOT the center of the universe. We may be the center of our own universe, but not THE universe.

The latest "gift" I have received has come in the way of opportunity and authentic community. And I had nothing to do with creating it. It's all God.

Over the last 3 months a host of other passionate and caring people, along with my family and I, have been working hard at getting things ready for the official re-launch of FaithWalk. And then the day finally came — Sunday, September 16, 2007...

Liftoff was a complete success! So much excitement and energy. It was an awesome time to realize and see God doing amazing things.

And the gift?

For me, this gift is what God has afforded me in the opportunity of being apart of what is happening at FaithWalk. It's a gift that keeps on giving, because continually God is doing amazing things that only God can do. I know, it sounds a bit sappy... But it is absolutely true.

In our authentic pursuit of God, God continues to open doors, carve new paths, and create opportunities that we either didn't believe were possible, or don't feel we deserve. When we take a step of faith, God reveals more. It's like getting a new gift with each new imprint we make on the path before us.

That is the grace of God — unmerited, divine favor. We can't earn it, nor do we deserve it. We can only receive it.

Yep... I have a hard time receiving. But God continues to teach me through incredible opportunities, and within a new and growing community of faith. It's pretty awesome.

And today Traci and I, along with some good friends, take off for another adventure to see what other amazing gifts God has in store. We are headed to Catalyst, a leadership conference held just outside of Atlanta. We can't wait!

God continually gives. If we could only learn how to continually receive...