In everyday culture and traditions there are many opportunities for us to bless someone with a gift. Even in this, we are making informed, intentional choices when we prepare to give a gift. But do we spend time doing reflection on what is a gift and what is in a gift? It is not simply a monetary or talented hand-crafted automated process.
Within us we have a powerful gift to give to those we interact with on a daily basis, our natural gift of human intelligences. These gifts are not linked to the cultures and traditions of material gifting, but rather, enriching others in a manner that can impact their life. A ripple effect that lasts much longer than the gift itself.
- Mentally we are given the ability to analyze, to reason, to use language that impact others. Choosing to use this gift in a way that positively set others on a path to comprehend and to get their voice of reasoning in return.
Romans 12:2 – Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
- Physically our bodies can function on its own intelligences, but this is also closely interlinked with our mind (mentally) and heart (feelings – emotions). Your physical presence and willingness to help others – the gift of gifting.
Luke 11:36 – If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.
- Emotionally having one’s own self-knowledge and the ability to have empathy and to communicate with others in a sensitive manner is a gift sure set for results and success in oneself and the gift to get others to achieve their greatest potential.
Proverbs 3:5 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
- Spiritually we have a sense of guidance, our drive for meaning and connection – mentoring is closely related to the ability of providing guidance and leadership for others to shine like a star.
Psalm 51:10 – Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
Fundamentally we are our own product of choice – your attitude, not your aptitude will determine your altitude. Let us then give ourselves the greatest gift of all; to choose the direction we want our lives to go and to empower and influence those around us to be inspired to reach their own self worthiness.
The freedom to choose is also the power to choose between stimulus and response outcomes. To choose how we respond, to choose the outcome of each event that impact our daily existence.
In the same manner, we have the freedom to choose the gift that we will give to someone else. When this choice becomes intentional, the person receiving the gift will clearly experience the thought and depth of your intention. Let us become intentional in the manner we approach gifting.
Let us think upon gifting as:
- Something that is given to somebody to uplift them
- The natural ability, a gift for making people feel worthy
- The act of giving to others – living a life away from oneself
- A choice
Self-reflection:
What choices have you made that upon reflection, you could have approached differently?