Following Jesus / Serving Churches
Photo by Jukan Tateisi on Unsplash
In the now. Now can be good. Now can be safe. Now can be nice.
Yet. Now can be neutral. Now can be plateaued. Now can be stuck.
Instead…
Dream the next dream.
Take the next step.
Welcome the next day.
Write the next page.
Make the next decision.
Start the next chapter.
Dream it.
Take it.
Welcome it.
Write it.
Make it.
Start it.
The world doesn’t stop. Neither should we.
Next.
2020 in the rearview mirror.
Yet racial tension, unsettled elections, a partisan populace, and a global pandemics leave us unsettled as we consider the road ahead.
We don’t know where 2021 will take us. We pray the elections will be decided fairly. We pray the vaccines will work, the virus stopped, and lives saved. We pray prejudices will be overcome and love will win. We pray reason will prevail in disagreements and folks will be considerate of one another. We pray that everyone would have someone to trust, someone who loves them for who they are. We pray our nation is peaceful and prosperous. We pray that we find joy and grow in hope. We pray the road ahead will be smoother than what is behind.
What can we do to best travel the road ahead?
Pray. Earnestly. Constantly. For any concern we have. God’s ear is attentive. We will draw us near as we seek Him.
Read. Daily. Thoughtfully. Though broad reading is encouraged, prioritize the Bible. God’s Word reveals His character, His purposes, and His ways.
Love. Fully. Freely. The world needs love in action. Otherish love that is God powered, other focused, and self sacrificing.
Serve. Sacrificially. Regularly. It’s not about you. Others make everything better. Make a difference today and for the days to come.
The road ahead will be better.
On we go.
Together.
Christmas decorations have all but disappeared from my home. Just our plain old house with the regular 365 day a year furnishings. None of the decorations of a glorious month of celebration remain. Packed once more into plastic totes in the garage. Awaiting their return to the attic. Until next December.
No garland. Lighted & strung with ribbons of red & gold. No Nativities. Reminding us always of God's love through Jesus. No tree. Live Frasier Fir covered with heirlooms & history, whimsy & joy.
It makes these January days seem colder still. Emptier. Less colorful. Even Scroogey.
The decor of Christmas - beautiful reminders of wonder - is gone 'til next year.
But there is one place you can go in my home & still know Christmas. Not where you might expect. Out of the way. And just for a while.
The storage closet. At the bottom of the basement stairs. It smells like Christmas.
Our vacuum resides there. It's bag filled with fallen fir needles. Aromatic indeed. A reminder of Christmas.
What about you?
As you launch into a new year - full of dreams & hopes, promises & resolutions - is your life a reminder of Christmas?
Year-round - not just one shinning month - does the world see the Savior in you? Do they hear his grace in your speech? Do they see his forgiveness in your eyes? Do they receive his gifts from your hands? Do they receive his life through yours?
Does your life smell like Christmas?
