This week, while doing some last-minute shopping, I found myself in a conversation with a woman shopping on her lunch break. Her basket was filled to the top with all sorts of stuff.

I asked her if what she was purchasing represented in some way the person she was buying it for. She quickly responded, “I have no clue, but this is what I am giving them.”

I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for those gifts. Would they be added to a mound of other gifts? Would they be used to the fullest, or would they be stored and forgotten, or maybe even repurposed and given to someone else?

Have we allowed the commercialism of the holiday, along with all the hustle and bustle, to minimize the real reason for the season? Has the celebration of the birth of our Lord somehow been upstaged by Santa and marketing tactics?

Following that encounter, I began thinking about the gifts I have received over time and what I have done with them. Then, I was reminded of the greatest gift I have ever received, the gift of my life. What is even more exciting is that my life came with a bonus gift. Not only were we gifted with life, but we came bearing gifts inside of us.

The Bible tells us that no one else can do what we have each been called to do. Psalms 18:16 reminds us that our gifts will make room for us. But it does not stop there, because of the importance of the fulfillment of our gifts to God; He promises that fulfillment will take us before great men.

What a great time of year to stop and think about what your gifts are. Where are they and what are you doing with them? Are you actively working in your gifts, or are you allowing everything and everybody to cause a delay.

There is greatness in each one of us. Some of us are purposed to be before the masses, while some of us are purposed to be behind the scenes, and some of us are purposed to simply bring the blessing of encouragement and wisdom. We may not think that what we are called to do is big enough to require our total commitment, but what does God have to say about that? Everything, big or small, is important to embrace, seek to understand and to walk in, and most importantly connects to why you are here.

During this season of gifting, unwrap the greatest gift that you could every receive; accept the gifts that lay inside your belly. Celebrate your gifts and dust them off from the shelves, take them back from where you might have repurposed them and get busy. Become as determined as you have been to find that special doll, bicycle or game. Don’t stop until you get what is yours. Somebody is waiting to receive what you have to offer; let’s not keep them waiting.
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Tanya Wilson is an inspirational speaker and author located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Friend her on Facebook or email her at tw360you.com.

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