Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
James 1:17
I can’t help but reminisce, considering the cozy winters of my childhood. With fresh snow upon the ground, how I reveled in the warmth of my favorite sweater, enjoying a beloved novel before a crackling fireplace. If hot chocolate or warm apple cider was involved, I was convinced I’d died and experienced a small taste of heaven on earth.
Not much has changed since then.
Honestly, I can’t help but believe such moments are like small whispers from heaven, reminding us that we are so blessed. Perhaps you, too, have noticed that the Christmas season oft abounds with many of these reminders. Amid the festivities of the season, beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts grace nearly every scene—in advertisements, shop windows, or glittering beneath the soft lights of a decorated tree. And who can honestly say they aren’t looking forward to opening gifts from family and loved ones this year? Some of us will receive gifts we’ve long desired, possibly even prayed for. Others will receive gifts they have absolutely no idea what to do with (How many of Aunt Bertha’s hand-crocheted tissue box covers does one actually need, anyway? 😉). While yet others won’t receive any gifts at all.
Fortunately, our loving God is the ultimate Giver of gifts. No child of His is ever overlooked, regardless of the season or the time of year. And the best part? He always knows exactly what we need. Every single time.
This wonderful truth became even more apparent to me as I worked on this brand-new release, Faith Arising. Throughout this particular writing process, I noticed an interesting connection between the gifts of God and our ability to receive them.
As you delve into Faith Arising, perhaps you’ll see it, too.
Repeatedly, one particularly power-packed word continued to surface and resurface in my mind as I pounded through the pages of this novel.
Arise.
Not too surprising, I suppose, given the title. 😉
Arise. It’s a common command found not only in the book of Acts but woven throughout the pages of the entire Bible, as well. And as I delved into the powerful stories of the gospels and the book of Acts leading up to Saul’s conversion, I was amazed at how often the clear command was issued by God to men.
For example, Jesus instructed the paralytic to arise, take up his bed, and return to his house. The Samaritan leper healed by the Great Physician was given the same instruction: Arise. The twelve-year-old girl brought back to life was awakened by the tender admonition whispered upon the lips of her Savior: Arise.
And the familiar exhortation is repeated throughout the book of Acts, as well. When Philip was commanded to take the road from Jerusalem to Gaza, resulting in the salvation of the Ethiopian eunuch, he received the oft-repeated instruction from on high: Arise. Fast forward one more chapter when Saul is commanded to forsake his mad course of destruction against the church of God. He, too, received the heavenly charge: Arise.
And this power-packed proclamation resonates throughout the newest book in the Crowning Crescendo series, Faith Arising. In it, we see God’s hand at work, prompting the beloved figures of New Testament history to relinquish their fears and doubts and take immediate action. Only by doing this could they extend open hands heavenward to receive the miraculous gifts God desired to grant them. And yet, as I delved deeper into the lives of these courageous but vulnerable men and women of Scripture, I couldn’t help but wonder…did they need a little push? A little heavenly help from on high to receive the gifts God longed to lavish upon them? If they were all set to change the world without a hint of hesitation, wouldn’t they have sprung into action of their own accord?
Not much has changed in the nearly two thousand years that has since elapsed. God still desires to lavish His children with the gifts He knows that we need. And yet, we too, must relinquish our doubts and hesitations to receive His will in our lives. Sometimes, an unfathomable blessing is just around the corner—but we must walk in obedience, promptly following God’s leading, in order to stumble upon the gift or miracle we have been praying for.
So, as Christmas looms upon the wintry horizon, may I encourage you to earnestly seek the gifts of God even above the gifts of the season? He knows exactly what we need. He knows when we need it. And He knows how to make it happen. And if His gifts surprise or perplex you (He’s been known to stump even the brightest of us, on occasion), don’t hesitate to accept His will.
Has God called you to do something that makes little or no sense? Are you hesitant to step out in faith? If so, be encouraged by the powerful men and women of Scripture who did that very thing.
You never know—that perplexing thing that God is asking you to do may be the very thing that leads you straight down the path you’ve desired all along. And when in doubt, arise! But be warned—you may have to brace yourself to receive the flood of blessings our loving Savior desires to lavish upon your life.
As the heroes of our faith can attest, you certainly won’t regret it.
Thank you, readers, for your interest in this eighth installment of the Crowning Crescendo: Season of Miracles series. My prayer is that you will be strengthened in your faith as you experience the wonder of those who have gone before us and achieved the ultimate victory by the power of the Holy Spirit with unwavering faith arising.
Rachael Duncan