Dear fellow Journeyers on the Way,

I recently had a conversation with my best friend from seminary, now a priest in the Diocese of Mississippi, and he was telling me about a new excitement in his life. He described an idea he called “People of the Gift” (by the way, I’m practicing interpretation and imagination at this point – not quoting him).

Being People of the Gift is about having all of one’s orientation in life being guided by the simple fact that everything is a gift. And – not only is it a gift, it’s a gift that came with no strings, and cannot be paid back. Chip Davis, my friend, used an example of someone stepping in front of a stranger to take a bullet, and dying instead of them – even not knowing that person (hmm – the story of Jonathan Daniels, Episcopal seminarian in the 60’s comes to mind!). Wow – can you imagine?!

It can be very corny, and even downright sentimental, but that idea of living each day as if it were your last is a profound challenge. I don’t mean to suggest that we should not save money, for instance, or not defer gratification in many parts of life, but what if we woke up each day and wondered, “I have one day to live just as I want to – what am I going to do? How am I going to treat people? How am I going to express my gratitude?”

Later this month, we will observe what we call “Celebration Day” where we offer our financial pledges to God through the church. Lots of us Christians are tired of many of the games being played – trying to “get” people to give more money to the church. I’m tired of that, aren’t you? In my experience, rather than trying to get people to give more money (which usually only works in the short run anyway), the thing to do is to encourage people to look at their lives with gratitude to God for everything – yes EVERYTHING, and the giving takes care of itself.

So – for God’s sake (actually for your own sake) – won’t you please commit yourself to be a “Person of the Gift”? Everything we need IS in abundance after all, isn’t it? Is anything that’s important – really important – scarce in your life?

It’s all gift – free gift, with no strings attached – and there’s no paying it back. So, why don’t we just live our lives like every day’s a gift? Won’t you try it – today? God bless!