Are You Receiving or Resisting a Gift?

My son mentioned Dylan Carlson, as an example of a baseball player who is confident without being arrogant. Photo by Brian Greene, www.flickr.com/photos/begreen90/32823185058/

What happens if you simply can’t receive the gift that’s being offered to you?
 
During a guided prayer with my kids, I had them imagine being a follower of John the Baptist when Jesus shows up on the scene. 

Out of curiosity and heeding John’s words that this is the One who is mightier than he, baptizing and gifting people with the Holy Spirit, they follow. 

​Then Jesus turns and makes eye contact and asks, “What do you want?  What is your heart’s desire?” 
 
We paused in silence.  Then we took a moment to share our answers.

"I don't know," said my 5th grader, "It's hard for me to think if it's a want or a need."   
"Okay, consider what your heart's biggest need or desire is for this week," I replied.
 
Interestingly enough, my kids both answered the same, “Confidence.”
They went on to share stories of where they felt a lack of confidence, especially with the start of school.
 
I had them close their eyes again and imagine answering Jesus, asking him for confidence and allowing him to respond.
 
My 10th grader shared how Jesus’ response was, “It’s a process.”
She let the scene unfold and replied to him, “I don’t want to have to try hard to be confident, it’s exhausting.”
Answered Jesus, “Maybe trying hard is the problem.”
 
This made her smile.  She was curious as to what it might look like to not try so hard to be confident but simply allow the confidence already in her to be, to surface.
 
My son said, “I couldn’t receive it.” 
I asked him to say a little more.  “I couldn’t take it in, I just couldn’t.”
 
When asked why, he had no idea.  However, when asked, “What is part of you afraid will happen if you receive it?”  (Remember, another part of him wanted and desired confidence.)
He responded, “If I take it in, I’m afraid I’ll take too much.”

This part had a fear that being confident would make him arrogant.  
It helped to  discuss the difference between the two by thinking of baseball players who exude confidence without arrogance. 

We went onto acknowledge that sometimes we have no control over how others perceive us.  Sometimes we have to let them think what they’re going to think.  Unfortunately some may see arrogance where there is simply confidence.  What matters is what is in our hearts.    
 
Once again, the words spoken to my children by Jesus, spoke to me.  Perhaps they speak to you, too.
 
How would you answer Jesus’ question? 
 
Now close your eyes and imagine Jesus’ response (but don’t try too hard!). 
 
Perhaps the gift you are looking for is already within you!  Or if you find yourself struggling to receive the gift being offered, you just might ask, “What is part of me afraid will happen if I receive it?”  

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