What do you give the One who has everything?

Merry Christmas! I am genuinely humbled that you read these weekly emails and I pray they are helpful in some way.

We just celebrated Christmas, and this year was a bit different in our family, with fewer but more significant gifts since my kids are grown. We've shifted from buying many small gifts to a few meaningful ones. Now that my children are older, they buy gifts with their own money - which is awesome.

One challenge they face is finding something for me. They say, "Dad, you're hard to buy for because you have everything."

It's not that I have everything; it's just that if I really wanted something, I've probably already bought it for myself.

So, what can they give me that I don't already have or can't get myself? This question made me ponder: what do you give the One Who has everything?

So, what do you give the man who has everything? I asked ChatGPT, and it suggested giving personal experiences — giving time, attention, unique creations like handmade art, a song - something that is one of a kind. These are not commodities you can buy in a store; they hold intrinsic value.

This concept applies to our relationship with God too. What could we possibly give God that He doesn't already have? He desires us—our hearts and lives. But a Father already has our hearts, and we have laid down our rights to our lives - so, what would put a smile on His face?

Ask a good earthly father - and a child who initiates a connection and creates a moment is priceless.

We can sum it up in one word: encounter. We give Him moments of our time, intentionally seeking to be near Him, listening, and sharing our hearts. It's what any father would want from their child—connection and engagement. In other words - encounter.

When people say worship encounters are just personal emotional moments, I tend to agree - wholeheartedly. It is personal. These moments can't be duplicated or commoditized; they're unique and precious. They can't be duplicated or replicated (as much as we try to) - they are singular and therefore priceless in His eyes. No one can give him the moments you can give Him.

This is true also for the church you lead - only they can give Him the response they can give. So lead them in that authentic response - you don’t need to copy or karaoke anyone else… that is not what He is looking for. (Assuming you are trying to minister to Him - vs impress the people)

So this Sunday, as a church, let's give Him an encounter—an intentional response to who He is. That's the gift we can offer the One who has everything.

I hope your Christmas was merry and that you're looking forward to an amazing year ahead!