THE GIFTS OF LIFE

The past six months for me have been invigorating, giving me freedom, but has also been painful and difficult. I keep being directed to the book of Matthew, which describes Jesus and his story. Jesus had severe struggles in life, but he was also blessed.

What I have come to realize is that we each have a story. It is how we perceive and portray this story to others that is the most important. When Jesus was born, he was given three gifts by the Magi (wise men) which were Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. What does this have to do with anything? It has everything to do about life. We can either use our gifts, or we can use our struggle to portray our life's story.

Gold:

If we think about the history of gold and what the symbolism is behind it, we will find that it represented royalty, power, currency, a standard. You could do anything. There was reverential respect that came with having gold. This is what the Magi were giving Jesus and his family. Respect, reverence, honor. They were exchanging one price for the other. They were giving up their earthly wealth for the spiritual wealth Jesus was sent to give. This is how we are to treat God, one another, ourselves.

“Therefore, the LORD God of Israel says: ‘I said indeed that your house and the house of your father would walk before Me forever.' But now the LORD says: ‘Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. - 1 Sam 2:30

Gold was used alongside other precious stones and metals as a weight standard for fixing the cost of what is being purchased. Honor is the valuing by which the price is fixed. The Magi could only give the most valued they have to honor the Highest King. Gold. Gold sets a standard in currency, in stature, in society, in position. Title doesn't matter but Gold. if the only thing we can do is honor God with our wealth and it was the highest value, how much more in value do you believe life giving blood is worth? Someone to die for you? How much is an innocent life to you? What is their value. Jesus did die for you, Jesus did shed his blood for you, Jesus was innocent. He deserves the honor, he deserves the set price in gold in return, he deserves anything we could give him.

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. - 1 Peter 2:17

How much do you honor your spouse and your children who have been given to you.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with your wives in understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. -1 Peter 3:7

Do you honor your parents? This is the first commandment given by God that accompanied a promise.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” - Ephesians 6:2-3

Do you honor true widows? what does this look like? How we honor others is important to God. How we honor ourselves in just as important. For you are a temple holy, pure, and sanctified! You are so valuable, treat yourself like it! This does not always mean with purchase, but with dignity and respect, showing yourself high value in action and word.

Frankincense:

A historical and ancient resin that was and is both valuable, and ritualistic. Frankincense was used in ancient times for religious ceremonies, by royalty, and eventually by everyday people for incense, perfumes, and bathing. It was used by the priests in the temples to purify the air, perform ceremonies. It was considered a delicacy and mass-produced for expensive perfumes.

Myrrh:

I do not know how many of you realize that myrrh was used as one of the very first oils for embalming. I am not talking about the modern ways of embalming which is completely different than what it was originally. Embalming was originally used for anointing the body to help protect the bodies, and help mask the smell of decay. The bodies were lathered in oil and spice baths as an anointing for preservation symbolism. To help keep the people whole, for remembrance, spiritual safety, and protection from decay including spiritual decay. Myrrh is used now in oils, religious anointing oils, and preservation. To be anointed is to be healed, protected, and set apart as holy or to have right standing. Not to be full of shame, guilt, or hatred of ourselves and others. Oils like this were meant for the healing of damaged areas like abrasions, cuts, bruises, and other trauma. It was also used for protection against future ailments of the same sort. This can also be done in the spirit which is the anointing ritual.

This concept revolves around death. Death and decay of the mind, body, and spirit. To fully comprehend this we need to realize that the concept of death is not disappearance, it is separation. Separation from love. Separation from our true self. Separation from God. Separation from others, not being able to connect. Divorce, grudges, judgment, assumption, fear, jealousy, envy are all types or pieces of separation; leading to the death of one or all three parts that make us who we are. This blocks us from the ability to be compassionate, empathetic, and understanding towards others.

" The Fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time." - Mark Twain.

I encourage you and pray that you focus on your gifts of life, and treat others with how you want to be treated. The world we live in is full of all the things that lead us to death. Choose the gifts of life so that we may heal, protect, and love one another despite all the flaws, pain, and shame we all have.

Choose Love overall, Choose life overall. God bless you.

xo

EM