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 ESV
I love this verse! Every good and perfect gift comes from God who does not change. What is there not to love about this verse?!
One thing which stands out to me in this verse is the fact that all good things come from God, in fact they are gifts from Him to us. It is interesting to note that James feels the need to remind those who hear this letter of this fact. While this is interesting, when we look at our lives and the lives of those around us, it makes perfect sense. We are so quick to appreciate the immediate physical gifts (and their human giver) we completely forget the one who orchestrated the events to make it happen. Or else, when there is no human giver, we tend to forget that good things are a gift from God and tend towards a sense of self entitlement or payment for our due.
The big problem with both of these responses is that we miss giving God the praise and glory due to Him and we also miss out on that sense of feeling valued, loved, cherished by God which strengthens us, since we are missing all of the gifts He is giving us.
It’s as if a young man sent beautiful letters and gifts to a young lady he was courting but more often than not she doesn’t realise who sent the gift and instead profusely thanks the postman as if he was the one who had given her the gift. Over time, the young lady becomes discouraged thinking the man doesn’t love her, yet here he is giving her all these gifts. Until she realises the gift come from him, she will never understand how much he loves her and change from investing her attention and thanks towards the postman, who, while he is part of the process, that is all he is. He is neither the start nor the end, and can never satisfy the love shown to him or wanted from him.
Instead, when love is correctly understood, from the giver to the receiver that is when true relationship can flourish and grow. It is important to not get caught up on the postmen of this life, that is in all the ways God chooses to deliver His gifts for you. Yes appreciate and value and be thankful for the people God uses to achieve this but don’t trade them for Him. Let God be where He belongs as the giver of good and perfect gifts, and let yourself receive His love for you because He does love you. In fact, He loved us enough to give us the best and most expensive gift ever, the gift of life.
Receive His gifts and rest in the fact He loves you and that will never change because He never changes.
♡
Musings by Tee 