Seek the Giver, not Just the Gifts

 

It's the Christmas season again—my absolute favorite time of year. If you spend any time on social media, you’ll notice it's also the season for extravagant giveaways.  This time of year, influencers and brands become especially generous, offering very lavish prizes to lucky winners.   

Of course, most do this with the hope of promoting their brand or gaining more followers. Behind the extravagant gifts and lavish prizes, every brand and influencer hopes their followers won't just stick around for the giveaways. They want their audience to see past the prizes and truly appreciate who they are and what their brand represents. Ultimately, they’re hoping you’ll notice their amazing qualities and choose to follow them for their authentic selves—not just for what they can give you. They want to build a lasting relationship, not just attract someone who disappears once the giveaway ends.

Our journey and relationship with the Lord are often much the same. Many times, we follow Him for what He can give us or for the expectations we have of what He might do in our lives. We pursue the gifts. But genuine love for God comes as we mature and learn to see beyond the gifts, truly appreciating and seeking the Giver Himself.

I’m reminded of a devoted follower of Jesus named Peter. Peter was a fisherman by trade, and for much of his life, his hopes and dreams revolved around pursuing the next big catch. His admiration for Jesus began when Jesus stepped into his boat and led him to a miraculous catch of fish. Peter was amazed. (Luke 5) 

But as Peter journeyed with Jesus, he began to realize there was something far greater than the gifts and miracles. He developed a genuine relationship with Jesus and discovered the unconditional love of the giver Himself. 

Shortly after Jesus’s death, the disciples returned to fishing without any success.  A stranger on the shore called out, urging them to cast their nets on the other side.  They did, and their nets overflowed once more.  Then someone recognized, “It is the Lord.”  While the others were obsessing over the abundant catch—the gifts— Peter’s heart soared because it was the Lord, the giver.  He left everything behind, diving into the water, desperate to be in the presence of Jesus.  (John 21). 

Peter demonstrated that the greatest treasure is not in the blessing or what we receive, but in a deep abiding relationship with the one who gives.