The only gift we can’t give.

Posted: October 29th, 2010 Category: christian, Common Sense

Through the “gift” of life our consciousness is born and from that moment our lives become an accepted “given”. Centuries ago, French philosopher, Rene Descartes wrote; “I think, therefore, I am”. My only problem with Monsieur Descartes’ revelation of human life lies in its seemingly independent stature or the oneness of it, but in fairness he spoke of a conscious existence, not creation. Most of us take our lives for granted. History shows this to have been the case for many countless generations.

So then, who or what has given this most precious “gift”? Parents loudly proclaim both the effort and the result while assuming stewardship. However, lacking the essential ingredients they were “gifted”, how could they create life? The biology of birth is even more simple than some creation of a short order cook, who takes the standard ingredients of the kitchen, spends a few minutes measuring, mixing and preparing them and then serves them up. The ingredients are the key to the culinary creation, without them there is nothing. Those ingredients, their exact proportions, mysterious origins, their unique and special attributes are the work of nature. The presentation after creation is an altogether different challenge, where parents indeed play leading roles.

Aside from life, is there any other situation where, when given the most incredible gift imaginable, we would not be grateful? If this single gift afforded us our greatest challenges and joy while holding a promise of fulfillment beyond our wildest dreams, who then could easily ignore their generous benefactor? If that benefactor were to politely ask, “please believe in me and love me as I love you,” what kind of person turns their back, perhaps visiting only on holidays?

In the metaphor of the short order cook, does not the referenced cook give considerably more attention to the product being created than the act of standing over the stove? How often is this the case when two people begin a family? Life is so much more than a biological creation. Life is the greatest miracle in the universe. People are without question, the most complex creations on earth. Not because of our biology alone, where we are no more complex than any other life form. Our complexity results from physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual ingredients. The gift of life should be held precious (Rev 22:17) and the true giver celebrated in the highest esteem (Gen 2:7). It’s only common sense and courtesy to be responsibly grateful, acknowledging the giver, while never turning your freely gifted back on such a generous, selfless Being. Our Creator was there at our start, has always been watchful and most importantly for us, in love, He will still be there at our ends and new beginnings. From our hearts God, thank you for the gift of life.

JC Calkins, with COMMON SENSE 4 UNCOMMON PEOPLE