What if what’s missing in our lives isn’t lost—just sitting right where we left it?
On Christmas Day, I realized one of my husband’s gifts was missing. I searched everywhere. My thoughts spiraled. I even caught myself blaming God.
Later, my husband found it—right where I had put it.
The gift wasn’t stolen.
It wasn’t lost.
It was misplaced.
That moment reminded me of Mary and Joseph when they suddenly realized Jesus was missing. After days of searching, they found Him in the temple. And Jesus said something that still speaks loud and clear today:
“Did you not know I must be in My Father’s house?”
Here’s the truth we don’t always like to admit:
We haven’t lost Jesus—but we can misplace Him.
And one of the ways we do that is by drifting away from His house.
Yes, COVID was real. Yes, it was serious. But somewhere along the way, staying home became easier than showing up. And now, even when we’re well and able, church has become optional instead of essential.
But Scripture is clear:
We are not meant to do faith alone.
We are not meant to stay home when God has called us to gather.
And we are not meant to sit on the gifts the Holy Spirit has placed inside us.
God didn’t give us a spirit of fear.
He gave us power, love, and self-discipline.
Your church needs your presence.
Your church needs your prayers.
Your church needs the gifts God put in you.
The greatest gift is Jesus—but the gifts He’s given you were meant to be used, not stored away, not forgotten, and not left at home.
Bottom line:
If you are well and able—go to church.
Show up. Serve. Encourage. Use your gifts.
Don’t let Jesus—or what He’s placed inside you—become another missing gift.
Jesus said He had to be in His Father’s house.
If He made that choice at twelve years old, surely we can make it too.
Comfort has kept us home long enough.
If you are well and able—go to church, serve boldly, and use the gifts the Holy Spirit has given you.
Missing gifts don’t build the Kingdom—used ones do.
Prayer:
Jesus, forgive us for misplacing You. Stir up the gifts of the Holy Spirit within us. Break the habit of staying away and give us courage to return to Your house with power, love, and faith. We want to be about our Father’s business. Amen.
