Tis The Season

Are YOU Jolly?

What is there to be happy about? Are you racking up debt, buying gifts to be barely appreciated beyond the present opening session? Feeling stressed that you haven’t sent out a single card? How are the preparations for the big dinner coming, or will you be alone this year?

Why all the fuss, long lines at department stores and in the parking lots at the mall? What are we doing all this for?

This season is about a gift, from God, to the whole world. We don’t have to stand in line to buy His gift. Truth is, we could never afford it. The life of His only Son is what God is offering: an opportunity for relationship with a God who is for us and with us. Emmanuel.

Put down your shopping list, your guest list and take a look at this list from Isaiah, about the best gift and guest to ever visit our planet. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6 KJV)

And God, in His divine mystery, provided a gift that could also make a purchase, the whole human race, for the life of one. Now that is sure to warm your heart and make you merry. That’s if you believe Christmas is more than the hurried mess we’ve made of it. The Anointed One, made flesh on our behalf, is asking you to slow down and truly enjoy the season for all the joy He intended to bring.

O come O come Emmanuel, thou long expected Jesus. Bring joy to the world as we sing, “Glory to the newborn King.” Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled. Where meek souls will receive Him still the dear Christ enters in. Fall on your knees before Christ the King. O come let us adore Him.

Do you need mighty shoulders on which to lay your weary head?
How about a wonderful counselor who is always available and free?
What about an everlasting Father (a parent on whom you can depend)?
Who couldn’t use some peace in this hectic season?

Life through kindness, compassion, and honest pain

Those with the gift of service and hospitality often meet a need even before it’s spoken. The Shunammite woman of 2 Kings 4:8-37 is like that. The prophet Elisha was a regular visitor to her town and she took notice. She fed Elisha. Then used her own money to build an addition to her home where he and his servant could stay when they passed through town.

Elisha wanted to reward and bless her – You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army? (2 Kings 4:13). The woman was satisfied with the life she had.

She and her husband, however, were missing the blessing of a child and she never dared to ask. The promise of a child became her reward. Life came through her as a gift from God. And as sometimes happens our blessings become burdens.

Grief stricken, at the death of her child, the Shunammite travels to visit Elisha. Her journey was long enough to ponder the anguish of her loss and she said what many of us would only allow ourselves to think, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” (2 Kings 4:28).

What I love is the honest expression of her pain. She doesn’t sugar coat it. Grief can’t be wrapped up with a nice neat bow and put off to the side. We are meant to feel and process our grief.

Notice Elisha’s response. He is not put off by her strong emotions. Instead he responds with urgency, believing God can bring life out of death. Elisha was filled with compassion. And his compassion, along with God’s resurrection power, returned the Shunammite’s son to life.

Are there times when what once felt like a blessing began to feel like a curse?

When have you questioned a gift and/or the giver?

Have you experienced grace and healing in the midst of intense sorrow?

*Give yourself permission to grieve. God will stay with you through the rough places.

This is All that Matters

This morning I woke up with a heavy heart and throughout the morning I prayed to God through tears. As the morning went on, a song, I have not heard or even thought about in years, came to mind.

The words of this song are true no matter what else is going on. They remind me that – this is all that matters

May these words bring you hope and strength today.

To Ever Live Without Me

Choices, even though you knew the lines
You’d have to cross for me
You made them anyway
Voices, You knelt there in the garden
‘Neath the olive tree
You heard me call Your Name
I cannot pretend to understand it all
But heaven knew the reason You were there

Chorus:
It was all about a man
It was all about a cross
It was all about the blood that was shed
So I would not be lost
It was all about a love
That was bigger than a life
It was all about a freedom that was given
Through Your sacrifice
‘Cause You would rather die
than to ever live without me

Helpless, that’s humanity without Your saving grace
So misled
So selfless, You could have called a thousand angels
Down to take Your place
But You took mine instead
I cannot pretend to understand it all
But heaven knew the reason you were there
A greater love has no one than this
That he will lay his life down for his friends

By Jody McBrayer
from the album This Is Who I Am

Timing is Everything – Jesus

His birth was right on time –
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4 KJV, italics added)

His ministry began with these words —
“The time has come…”(Mark 1:15 NIV, italics added).

Jesus didn’t go ahead of God’s timing to be crowned King –
Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain by himself. (John 6:14,15 NIV)

Instead he waited to be glorified by his Father–
And Jesus answered them, The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified and exalted. (John 12:23 NASB, italics added)

Jesus knew when it was time to fulfill his calling–
I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” (John 7:8 NIV, italics added)

Though he knew he came to die, timing was everything–
After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. (John 7:1 NIV)

Jesus knew when to face danger–
Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them. (John 18:4 NLT)

He knew when it was time to go home–
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. (Luke 9:51 NIV, italics added)

Like Esther, Jesus was aware that his mission could cost him his life. But unlike Abraham, when Jesus wondered if God could fulfill the promise through any other means, Jesus did not go ahead with his own plan. Instead Jesus talked with God and asked the question that he wanted answered. And then surrendered his will. “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” (Matthew 26:39, 42 NLT)

The gift that Jesus’ death and resurrection provided is so precious, that God is willing to wait. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9 NIV) That sounds like good news, and maybe it’s time for you to go and share it.