“Who is your best friend, André?”
“Matthew.”
“Well, Matthew has a nice birthday gift for you, but the problem is you must find him.”
Now, this was a challenge because André was blindfolded. His eyes were not going to be of any help in finding his friend. But he believed the promise that Matthew had a gift for him, and so his ears were going to have to lead him to Matthew. His ears were very alert, and that was a good start.
Since you were not part of this game, the gift could not be for you, and the promise was not made to you. But there is another promise and a gift which are especially for you. You will find the promise in the Bible in John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). See if you can find it.
“André, if you want the gift that Matthew has for you, you must listen for his voice. He will call your name, and he will stand still. He will not run away.”
That sounded easy enough, but there was something else that was going to make it hard. There were other boys who also had gifts for André. Their gifts were wrapped in pretty paper too, but they were no good. They were just junk. And these boys were also going to be calling his name.
When the signal was given, about ten voices began to shout, “André, I have a gift for you. Come and get it. This way, André!”
André knew Matthew’s voice very well, but in all the noisy confusion it was hard to hear Matthew’s voice. He paused a minute, and then set out with his hands in front of him.
André could only grope along as he listened for Matthew’s voice. If you want to receive God’s gift, you cannot use your eyes to receive it, but you can believe the promise. You will hear other people telling you how to get it. But be sure you listen to God’s Word only. The voice of the Lord Jesus is the only one to follow. Someday you will see Him, but right now He wants you to listen and believe without seeing.
Tim’s call was the loudest, and although André was not far from Matthew, he followed the wrong voice. He took Tim’s gift and, opening it, found only sticks. He missed the gift.
But then Dad came in, and in loving-kindness he gave André another chance. Will God give you another chance to receive His gift? Maybe not. This could be your last chance. You have probably had more than two already.
André was blindfolded again, and this time he listened more carefully. Nathan tried to offer him a pretty package full of dirty rags! But he followed Matthew’s voice until he found the gift which had been lovingly made especially for him. It was a nice soft pillow for his head, decorated with cows and a big red barn.
Have you found out what God’s gift is? You may also find it in Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23), which says, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But you will never really know what it is until you receive it. It includes so much more than these verses could ever explain.
ML-06/06/1999