Our life gift or not?

If you looked at life as a gift, you would be excited to open it daily! Acts 3:8

The lame man at the gate called beautiful, was carried to the temple daily to beg for his needs. People just walked by ignoring him, much as we do today. But Peter and John the Apostles, had something to offer the lame man could have never expected, a gift he felt he would never see. The Apostles at that moment saw the opportunity to share what they had been given just a short time back.

It would be a gift that the lame man would be so excited about. He would want all around him to know it. His life would change, he would be different, new. What would we do if we were given such a gift? Would we hide it away, out it in a closet to collect dust? Or would we look at life as a gift? Would we be like the lame man and want the world to see and share in this change?

Peter told the man, "look at us," and they fixed their eyes on one another. The lame man never expected, never thought in his wildest dreams what would happen next. Peter, with a confidence and boldness like no other, said just a couple words that would change this man forever. Silver and gold we do not have, but what we do have is this one thing, and Jesus through us wants you to have it.

"Rise up and walk!" were the only words the man would hear. When this man looked deep in the eyes of Peter, he knew something was about to happen! He had never seen, or heard such confidence in all the time he was laid at the Temple of God! Just people passing by taking care of their own needs, having nothing to offer except maybe a sneer, or a get away from me, go get a job!

Yes even today, as we look on those less fortunate than ourselves, we forget what God has given us. The gift He has bestowed on us so undeserving! We forget how grateful we were to have our lives restored, to have a second chance to make a difference. How excited we were at the gift we had received, we so soon forget! We just pass by looking away hoping we are, at he very least invisible, so we have to give nothing.

The lame man at the gate called beautiful, gave life at the Temple new meaning. When he had been given the opportunity to walk again, he wanted all around him to know! He leaped up and went into the Temple loudly praising, God so all could hear. Everyone who saw him knew, it was the lowly beggar who would get in their way. Now proclaiming God's glory, sharing this new found gift of life with jumping and praising!

How about us? When we get up in the morning, how do we see our lives? Are we still begging for something to happen? Have we forgotten that in our sin we were lame and God healed, us set us free? Or do we get up leaping and rejoicing in the gift of life we have been given, wanting all to see, wanting all to hear what Jesus has done for us?

Acts 3:8-10, And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God, and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.