Thursday, December 16, 2010

STAY ON MESSAGE THIS CHRISTMAS, DARLINGS!




God’s ways are extraordinary, secret even inscrutable at times. He operates on a high plane light years above us. This is a fact.

Since I was a child, it struck me as odd that Jesus, the only son of the living GOD was born in a stable with no heat, no amenities, no room service. Why?

In this world, we tend to heap luxury on people that we value. Super stars are treated to 5 star accommodations, swag bags and perks of all kinds. Ordinary folks are treated...well, ordinary. This is the way of the world.

As with most things, God has a different view point. God chose to send Jesus to us in a seemingly low manner to prove a point. Jesus’ arrival signaled a change to the status quo. No longer would we be able to rely on our own efforts to get into the kingdom of God. Our restrictive diet, prayer positions, tithing practices, etc. are no longer enough. Instead, we are now required to surrender our will and follow Jesus and his way. Period. The End.

Once we surrender our lives to God and seek to mimic the ways of his son we will be rewarded. But, our reward is not a life of leisure or comfort. Our reward is a sense of peace, wonder and joy no matter what betides. This is a supernatural gift given to us by a loving God.

Mary and Joseph experienced the type of peace, joy and wonder we can expect after we decide to follow Jesus. These two Christians surrendered their hearts and minds to God. Even though Mary was very pregnant, she and her husband agreed to heed God’s call, leave their home and travel to a foreign land. They did all this without knowing WHY! When Mary was about to deliver her baby, the couple sought lodging at an inn only to be directed to settle in a “lowly” stable.

But was the stable really lowly? Didn’t kings bearing really expensive gifts from distant lands visit these “ordinary” people? Didn’t angels serenade them? Didn’t a marvelous star leave its chartered celestial path to commemorate the birth of their son?

Isn’t God’s reward better than anything we can conjure up? Aren’t His ways better than our ways? Darling, don’t let the world and its chatter confuse you. There is only one perfect path to happiness.

Stay on Message this Christmas!