Life is the Gift
- By Indu Shanmugam
- Published 12/28/2007
Indu Shanmugam
Indu Shanmugam is a 20-something, college student from Oregon, USA. She is majoring in English literature and language. She also studied Theology for a short period. She wants to be a teacher. As a literature enthusiast, she enjoys literature of all types and from writers of various backgrounds from the classics, French realists, Christian writings like C.S Lewis and South Asian literature. As for her own writings, "I am still trying to find and develop my own voice." She sees the art of the written word as a way to speak about Christ and explore truth. Before she met Jesus Christ, she has been searching for the meaning of life through experimentation of other religions, philosophies and ideas. At the age of 17, she accepted Christ after a powerful encounter with God through a miracle. God's presence and deep truths in the Bible fuel her creativity. She is involved in church activities and has a love for the church and would like to see every believer grow, become closer to God and live fruitfully. She loves traveling, sipping bubble teas, theatre, music, films and hanging out with friends and has a weakness for cheesecake.
A new way to live life is the best gift anyone can ever have.
I have been afraid to step out and take the things God intended for me to have. I am imagining a scene, where my significant other takes me out to dinner and then surprises me with a pearl necklace. He would love to see my surprised face and at first a "Oh no, you shouldn't have." He would love to see my eyes light up as I feel the delicate pearls between my fingers and admire them and then letting him put it around my neck. But suppose, I had an uninterested or blank reaction and just put those pearls aside. How would he feel?
How would you feel if you tried to compliment someone but they don't accept it graciously? Or you decide to take a friend out to a jazz club because you know that person likes music and the person is ungrateful and cranky? Or that you tried to cook a favorite for someone and they don't eat it? Wouldn't you feel like a fool for even trying to bless them?
Sometimes, that is what Christians do to God. False humility, fear or lack of faith is precisely that. Jesus Christ was born so that he can give us a fuller and more meaningful life. Out of fear and doubt, I haven't embraced certain things. I am going to let God more into my life. I want Him to shine through me.
Remember God's gift to us. Take it and have the blessings God has for us.
