A Valuable Gift

“…they traded in their glory for shame.”
Hosea 4:7

I remember a few years ago when my husband received a signed bat as a gift. Although he was excited about this, it wasn’t until one day as he was walking into a Starbucks for coffee and he saw on the cover of Sports Illustrated a picture of the 2005 Baseball MVP, Albert Pujols, he realized the value of what he had been given. You see, the bat was signed and dated by Albert Pujols for my husband. Even though we were extremely grateful for the gift itself and the thoughtfulness behind it, the bat instantly grew in value to us. However, just because we didn’t realize it, this didn’t change the value of this gift from the beginning. This gift was of great value long before we came to understand it, but now it is treasured more. It’s like a boy with baseball cards that trades one of his cards that he may not care all that much for, only to realize later that it was actually quite valuable and should have been kept. Lucky for us, we never considered trading the gift we had been given. (ha!)

Many times we, as Christians, are like this with all that Christ has given to us. Do we really comprehend the incredible value of what He offers? Do we cherish it, or have we, like the people in this verse from Hosea, traded “glory for shame”? Many times we trade the glory of God and all that He extends to us for our own sin. It could be a relationship, a job, a bad habit, or just a selfish attitude.

Take the time to today to dive into God’s Word and get a glimpse into the treasure we have been given. Then, see if there is anything in your life that you have exchanged for your intimate fellowship with Christ. We are blessed that, although we make foolish decisions and often trade His way, for our way, He is “waiting around to be gracious to us” (Isaiah 30:18) and will always exchange our life for His abundant life if we will but give Him all we have. Oh, for Him, it’s not an even trade at all, and for us it’s getting far more than we deserve, but that’s Grace and that’s what makes it so glorious.

We really have been given a treasure that cannot be taken away! May we hold on tight and not trade it for anything this world has to offer.

Lord, thank you for the incredible gift you have given to us through your Son, Jesus. Help me to stay close to you and guard my relationship with You, not being willing to trade it for anything else in this world. Keep me mindful of the value You are in my life and may I share it with others, so that they, too, can receive the eternal treasure that You offer.

In Him~
Tammy…

To read more from Tammy, visit her at Steps In Our Journey