You Are The Gift
Genesis 11:4
And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
Resourceful and creative—those are words that describe the children of Bombon, a small town in the Philippines where I grew up. We did not have money for store-bought toys, but that lack became a quiet gift. It invited us to create.
After harvest, we built castles and winding mazes from rice stalks. We searched carefully for the right bamboo stick, trimmed it, shaped a push rod, and rolled bits of wet paper for ammunition. We spent hours preparing—and just as many hours playing, laughing as we chased one another through open fields. We turned tin cans into cars, using tire-shaped green fruits for wheels. We gathered leaves, placed a small smear of wet laundry soap at one end, and watched them glide across the water like boats.
Life was small in many ways, but it was full. We did not wait for things to happen. We made things happen. We created something out of what we had, and there was joy in the making.
As I reflect on those days, I see a lesson in discipleship.
Following Jesus Christ also requires intention, effort, and creativity. Many of us say we want to return to Heavenly Father and live in His kingdom. Yet sometimes we wait—waiting for better timing, better circumstances, more resources. We tell ourselves, “When I am less busy, I will serve.” “When I am financially secure, I will give.” “When life slows down, I will focus on what matters most.”
We may even pursue worthy goals, believing they will eventually bring us closer to Christ. But along the way, the target can keep moving. We postpone small acts of goodness while chasing larger plans for the future.
In Genesis 11, the people of Babel sought to build a tower to reach heaven. Their ambition was great, but their focus was misplaced. The Lord confounded their language, and they were scattered. In striving for something grand, they lost connection with one another. Sometimes redirection is a mercy—a reminder to center our efforts on what truly matters.
The gospel invites us not to wait, but to act with what we already have.
We do not need wealth to serve. A smile, a greeting, a listening ear—these are simple offerings, but they are real. We can share a meal with a neighbor without feeding an entire community. We can bear quiet testimony to someone sitting beside us, or to the people within our own home. We can choose patience, forgiveness, and kindness in ordinary moments.
No matter our stage of life or economic standing, we possess something of value: ourselves. Money, influence, and recognition may expand reach, but the most meaningful influence often happens one heart at a time.
Like the children of Bombon, we need not wait for perfect conditions. With the materials already in our hands—our time, our faith, our willingness—we can build something lasting.
Even a small light matters. A glimmer can guide someone through darkness. And in offering that light, we reflect the truth that God sees His children and cares for them.
What small act of service will you offer today—to a neighbor, a friend, or someone you do not yet know?