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The White Elephant
By Susanne Scheppmann
Key
Verse:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or
tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong
to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence.” (1 John
3:18-19 NIV)
Devotion:
‘Tis
the season for parties. The invitation reads, “Bring a white elephant gift.” A
white elephant gift doesn’t require much thought or money. It can be an inexpensive
trinket, a used household item or a gag gift. These white elephant
get-togethers create laughter and light-hearted camaraderie.
However,
there exists another kind of “white elephant” social gathering—the type where
everyone knows there is a relational conflict that exists within the group, but
no one acknowledges it. This pachyderm problem might occur within families,
between co-workers, or in a neighborhood. The more everyone pretends the white
elephant issue isn’t there, the bigger the unseen problem grows. The denial
compares to feeding peanuts to a live elephant—it grows larger and larger.
Do
you anticipate this type of white elephant intruding on one of your upcoming
festivities? Do you dread being in the same room with a particular person? To my
own distress, I usually attend at least one event where the unwanted guest
arrives, blowing its silent trumpet and begging for peanuts. However, God does
not intend for us to ignore the problem. He desires wants us to seek His wisdom
and guidance. The Lord wants us to pray and consider carefully how we might
apply the following scriptural principles to help prevent or dissolve the
uninvited intruder from our personal relationships.
- Let us not love
with words or tongue but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:18 NIV)
- Pursue the things
which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Romans 14:19
NASB)
- If it is possible,
as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans
12:18 NIV)
Let’s
decide beforehand how God would have us handle any uncomfortable situation that
might steal away the joy and peace of a Christmas festivity. If the white
elephant isn’t gift-wrapped, it doesn’t belong at the party. So don’t pack any
invisible peanuts in your holiday attire, but love as Jesus loves—with action
and truth.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, I anticipate at least one party where a
“white elephant” sits in the room. I ask that You teach me how to handle any
situation like this with love, truth and action. Reveal to me if I contribute
to the issue in any way. Lord, help me to reach out to everyone in Your love
and compassion. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Application
steps:
Consider your upcoming holiday events. Identify any
potential “white elephant” that might be present. Pray over the event and ask
the Holy Spirit to direct your words and actions. Ask God evaporate the
“elephant” and to resolve the relational conflict that might be residing in
your heart.
Reflections:
Does
the same “white elephant” return every year?
How
do I play a part in feeding it and allowing it to grow larger?
Is
it possible that I could be the white elephant?
Power
verses:
Psalm
40:10, “I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your
faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the
great assembly.” (NIV)
3
John 1:3-4, “It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about
your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth. I
have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
(NIV)
© 2007 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.
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