“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Have you ever received a gift that made you feel truly special? A present that wasn’t just about the items inside but about the love behind it. That is exactly what happens when a child receives an Operation Christmas Child shoebox. More than just a box filled with toys, hygiene items, and school supplies, it is a tangible expression of Jesus’ love, sent from the heart of a believer across the world.
Feeling truly special
Imagine a young girl or boy in a small village, barefoot and uncertain about the world beyond his home. They don’t know what it means to be loved by Jesus. Then one day, volunteers arrive with colorful shoeboxes. With wide eyes, they open their box to find a stuffed animal, a toothbrush, a soccer ball, and even a handwritten note saying, “Jesus loves you!” His heart stirs in a way he doesn’t understand. This simple gift is an open door, a sign that someone, somewhere, loves him—and even more, that Jesus does.
These shoeboxes do more than bring smiles. They introduce children to the greatest gift of all: the love of Jesus Christ. Many of them have never heard His name before. But as they hold that shoebox and listen to the pastors and volunteers explain why it was sent, they begin to understand. The box isn’t just from a stranger; it is from Jesus, filled with His love.
Waiting to receive the box from Jesus
In John 3:16, we are reminded that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son for us. That means His love reaches every nation, every child, and every heart willing to receive Him. These shoeboxes are a small but mighty way to demonstrate that love. They open doors for conversations about Jesus, leading many children to receive Him as their Savior.
The impact of these gifts stretches far beyond the moment of opening them. The older children are invited to take part in The Greatest Journey, a discipleship program that teaches them about Jesus and how to share His love with others. Through this, one shoebox can spark a movement of faith in an entire community.
A loving gift from Jesus
As believers, we are called to share God’s love in ways both big and small. While you may never meet the child who receives your shoebox, know that your act of kindness is planting seeds of faith.
I recently had the great privilege to give the shoeboxes to children in the Dominican Republic. This, for me, was a mountain-top experience. Just as Jesus multiplied the loaves and fish, He multiplies the impact of each shoebox to touch countless lives.
Let this devotional be a reminder that love is meant to be shared. Whether through a shoebox, a kind word, or an act of service, we are called to reflect the love of Christ. So, as you prepare a shoebox or pray for those receiving them, remember this truth: we love because He first loved us.
Grover Duling, CBC Executive Board Chair
