Wrappings, ribbons and bows

… we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore, encourage each other with these words (1 Thes. 4:17-18).

We always joke about toddlers who play more with the box than the gift inside. Don’t they know the best part is the gift and not the packaging?

We see our packages with pretty paper, ribbons, bows, colorful tags. Some gifts too beautiful to tear open. But there is something wonderful inside. Some delightful, memory-making gift.

On a higher, greater level – that beautiful gift – is us (our spirit). Our physical bodies are the pretty wrapped box. God did the wrapping and decorating Himself. But its meant to be a temporary cover. Inside is your spirit and there is no temporary purpose, no death for the spirit. For those in Christ, whether you work or play, live or die (or fall asleep as some bible translations say), it is your physical body that will serve its purpose – much like the wrappings around a gift. Inside is the true gift – your spirit living a forever life, eternal life in Christ.

So do not grieve like those who have no hope (1 Thes. 4:3). The dead in Christ will rise and will be with the Lord forever.

As believers (followers) in Christ, your forever with the Lord has already started. Let that assurance remove the horror of death. Death is not the final word. Life forever with the Lord is.

So enjoy today with the Lord. Know that whatever happens, those who hope in the Lord are with Him. Forever. The birth of Christ is the promise that there will be new birth, a new risen life, for you as well.