That's what I choose to cling to. As we are one more day into the week of Christmas I choose to follow The One True Star, and rejoice exceedingly. No matter the circumstances. No matter the cost. No matter the pain. In a world that is so flustered with acquiring more gifts, more wealth, better this, greater that, richer gifts under their tree... It can become so burdensome, but I believe that's never what was intended.
In reading through some of the gospels these last several days about the birth of our Saviour, trying to see some different perspectives on Christ's birth... I found myself stuck on the one verse in Matthew, chapter 2 verse 10. Matthew is referring to the Wise Men and their response after hearing of the King's birth. "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." Wow. Do we truly rejoice this time of year, and is it because of His birth? Are we so struck by this same exceeding joy.... The JOY He brought so long ago that offers you an eternity of worshipping at this same King's feet? We can become so distracted with the false hope of joy in these presents we so frantically shop for, the busyness that we often get ourselves wrapped up in.
This year is obviously going to be much different for us. We will not spend any of the holiday with our families, we will not make it to any of those traditional Christmas places that are our favourite and there will be fewer gifts for our two babies to unwrap. However, we have great joy in knowing there will be amazing things to experience here. It began yesterday with watching a sweet friend's baptism. Knowing she is feeling so much more joy, in simple obedience to our Father!! We will have a great opportunity Tuesday morning to pour into our sweet neighbour who is not sure of her beliefs about God. Time in the car as we carry her into the city and drop her off at the airport. We pray God makes the most of each opportunity. Time with young friends who are very lost. Time at our church's Christmas program tonight, praying for lost people in our community to come in and hear the greatest story ever and to know this Saviour came for THEM!
We will rejoice exceedingly as The Lord has our star over Cochrane. We have come and we await His plans, the plans He has for us and the plans He has for Vertical Church. How can He use our hands and feet to make Him known. We want to make much of Him.
I pray for YOU this Christmas. I pray that all of those around me will experience True Joy in the birth of our Saviour, the King of Kings, Emmanuel- God with us. The One who came for YOU. If you don't have a personal, one-on-one relationship with Jesus, I pray that you not go another day without Him.
Pray with me for our town. Pray for God to move in ways that only He can. He is faithful and He goes above and beyond. Pray for Vertical Church. Pray for Jason and I, for Hayden and Gracie. Pray we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus and that we not go one day without time with Him.
No comments:
Post a Comment