The Best Gift Ever

“For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son…” John 3:16, ESV

Most of us have heard this gospel verse so many times that it’s easy to gloss over the magnitude of exactly what God gave us. So let's take a step back today and look at it a different way.

We all like to get stuff. (AmIright?) Especially cool stuff.

You know that old game show, The Price Is Right? Well, if a contestant did well enough guessing the worth of different products, they'd have a chance to win one of three grand prizes. Behind door number one, Bob Barker might announce a NEW CAR!!! Behind door number two? An all-expenses-paid vacation TO THE CARIBBEAN! But then came the zinger: that thing behind door number three? It’s a secret! A total gamble! It might be a complete letdown, like a new toaster, or it could be the most valuable thing in the world—way better than the other two combined! What’s a lucky contestant to do?

Well, what if we were the contestant? What if we knew that it really was the most valuable thing in the world?

What if we knew it was Jesus behind door number three?

Would we run right past the shining car and beckoning beach banner without a second glance and leap into his arms? Would we feel like we’d struck the jackpot?!

Or would we be torn... worrying what the audience would think, feeling a pang of guilt and glancing sideways at doors number one and two, still longing for those incredible luxuries that somehow seem more attractive than Jesus in the flesh?

The truth is, we’re human, and we’ll always have a degree of longing for cool worldly things. I know that I, myself, would likely be in the camp feeling that guilty pang.

But there's another truth. The best gift in the world is already ours. It's God’s only Son. A gift worth more than anything, ever. If we choose it, we get to live for eternity in His love -- we get goodness and happiness forever. And we don’t even have to wait until eternity to start appreciating it -- God lets us enjoy it here on earth. Every time we meet our Savior in adoration, every time we kneel before the Eucharist, the physical time spent with our Savior is worth more in the long run than any new car or perfect job or a million dollars, or even a luxury vacation making beautiful memories with wonderful people.

All we have to do is choose him.

Let’s make it a point to do so today. Let’s recognize that He's so much more than a million bucks. Let's give the Worthy Lamb the honor he’s due!

How can we show love and gratitude today for the greatest gift we’ve ever received? How can we increase His worth in our lives?

Megan Hjelmstad is a wife, mom, writer and former soldier whose real passion is equal parts faith and chocolate. You can find out more about her here.