"And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh." - Luke 2:11

As we journey through the Advent season, our hearts are drawn to the ultimate gift of all, the birth of Jesus Christ. It's a time of reflection and anticipation, a season filled with the spirit of giving. And as we prepare to celebrate the birth of our Savior, let's consider the ultimate gift we can offer in return—deploying the precious gifts that God has placed within us for His divine purpose.

The Ultimate Gift: Your God-Given Gold

The ultimate gift you can give is to take all the precious gold that God has bestowed upon you, refine it, and offer it back to God by deploying it for the benefit of those around you. It's about using your unique talents, skills, and abilities to extend God's rule here on earth. But this gift often goes unopened, hidden away or left unrefined.

Are You Hiding Your Gold?

What are you doing with the treasure that God has given you? Are you keeping your talents hidden, afraid of what others might think or say? Do you find yourself consumed by the challenges of life or complacent in your comfort zone, failing to use the gifts that God has entrusted to you?

Your gift back to God is the ultimate expression of gratitude for Jesus coming to the earth for you. It's a way of saying, "Thank you for the ultimate gift of salvation." So, how can you ensure that you harness the gold within you and give it back to God?

Three Steps to Deploy Your Gifts for God's Use

1. Self-Reflection: Start by taking a moment to reflect on your unique gifts and talents. What are you passionate about? What brings you joy and fulfillment? These are often clues to the gifts God has placed within you. It's crucial to identify and acknowledge these talents.

2. Prayer and Discernment: Seek God's guidance in prayer. Ask Him to show you how you can use your gifts to serve others and extend His rule on earth. Through prayer and reflection, you'll gain clarity about the specific ways you can deploy your talents for His glory.

3. Action: The final step is taking action. Don't let fear or complacency hold you back. Start using your gifts in practical ways to impact the lives of those around you. Whether it's through acts of kindness, volunteering, or using your talents in your community, begin the journey of deploying your God-given gold.

This Advent season, let's not only celebrate the birth of Christ but also honor Him by using the precious gifts He has given us for His glory. Deploying your gifts is the ultimate gift you can offer in return for the gift of salvation. It's a way of participating in God's plan and extending His rule on earth.

So, as we continue our Advent journey, let's remember that each of us possesses unique and valuable gifts. These gifts are meant to be shared, refined, and used for the benefit of others and the glory of God.

Heavenly Father,

We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the ultimate gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. As we celebrate His birth during this Advent season, help us to recognize and deploy the precious gifts you have entrusted to us.

Grant us the wisdom to identify our unique talents and the courage to use them for your glory. May we not hide these gifts out of fear or complacency, but instead, refine and deploy them to serve others and extend your rule on earth.

Guide us in self-reflection, prayer, and action, so that we may be faithful stewards of the gold you've placed within us. Thank you for the gift of your Son and for the privilege of participating in your divine plan.

In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.