Peripheral vision is important in driving. We need to be aware to what is going on around us. Tunnel vision can cause accidents. In celebrating Christmas, we need to know what is going on around us, but too often, the peripheral items steal our focus away from the true meaning of Christmas. We lose sight of the reason we celebrate as the celebrations themselves along with all the trappings get the attention. There is nothing wrong with fun times, good food, and gifts. The problem is that they have become the focus of the season and the reason we share these things becomes peripheral. Jesus Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas, but many times he becomes only an excuse to party.
Angels appeared to the shepherds announcing "glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:8-11). A special star appeared in the sky, leading wise men to Jesus(Matthew 2:1-2). They came bearing gifts for the King of Kings who was the savior of the World (Matthew 2:10-12). Our Christmas celebrations recall the nativity story with stars on our trees, shepherds and wise men, gifts, and evergreen branches signifying eternal life. The icons are still there telling the story. Star spangled wrapping is ripped off of gifts with no thought to what they represent. Wise men are icons of the season, but few give thought to what the wise men were searching for, or what they found. Angels have a prominent place, but they are silent sentinels instead of messengers bringing news of salvation to all mankind. In so many homes, the core of Christmas, which is Christ, has become peripheral to the celebrations of the season. When the story comes into focus, Christ will be seen at the center, and only then can we celebrate properly, for then our celebrations are inspired with the reason they exist in the first place. We do not celebrate for sake of celebration, but we celebrate for Christ's Sake.
Showing posts with label Priorities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Priorities. Show all posts
Monday, November 30, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
United in Purpose
We were blessed to have missionaries stay with us this last weekend. Our church had a weekend mission focus. I was saddened by the turnout we had on Saturday for our cultural awareness luncheon. Though the event was announced well in advance, when the time came, most begged off with one excuse or another. It was similar to the parable of The Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-23). Everyone had an excuse not to come. Sunday morning we had good attendance and the missions offering was good, but again, Sunday night was sparse. It must be disheartening travel hours to share the mission work God has laid upon your heart and find little interest.
Our missionaries were kind and took it all in stride. They shared with those who were there and were gracious guests in our home. It was evident that their passion was strong. Their lives are dedicated to God in total submission.
If we call Jesus master, and believe the Bible to be our rule of life, we too should have more than a passing interest in missions. Jesus commissioned us to teach others about Him (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). The love of Christ compelled Paul to give his life to spread the Word of God (2 Cor. 5:14-15). The book of Acts is a missionary document. The very purpose of Christ coming to earth is a missions statement (Luke 19:10).
When we see mission work as the purpose of God for each one of us and not just for a select few, we are on our way to joining the united purpose of God. And when we lend our support to missionaries who are on the field we are supporting the purposes of God. God is pleased when we give our resources to support missionaries (Phil. 4:15, 18). Mission work is a joint enterprise. Those who unite their hearts and hands to missions unite themselves together in the great purpose of God. Hearts untouched by missions are untouched by the purpose of God. Each of us must ask ourselves, "Whose purpose do we really serve?"
Our missionaries were kind and took it all in stride. They shared with those who were there and were gracious guests in our home. It was evident that their passion was strong. Their lives are dedicated to God in total submission.
If we call Jesus master, and believe the Bible to be our rule of life, we too should have more than a passing interest in missions. Jesus commissioned us to teach others about Him (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). The love of Christ compelled Paul to give his life to spread the Word of God (2 Cor. 5:14-15). The book of Acts is a missionary document. The very purpose of Christ coming to earth is a missions statement (Luke 19:10).
When we see mission work as the purpose of God for each one of us and not just for a select few, we are on our way to joining the united purpose of God. And when we lend our support to missionaries who are on the field we are supporting the purposes of God. God is pleased when we give our resources to support missionaries (Phil. 4:15, 18). Mission work is a joint enterprise. Those who unite their hearts and hands to missions unite themselves together in the great purpose of God. Hearts untouched by missions are untouched by the purpose of God. Each of us must ask ourselves, "Whose purpose do we really serve?"
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Canceled
Church was canceled today due to icy roads. I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, I do not want anyone to get injured trying to get to church. On the other hand, people brave the weather to make it to work. Is church optional where work is necessary? Which is more important? Is it a bad thing to cancel church?
School is often canceled when weather poses a risk. Kids eagerly watch for school to close at the first sign of snow. When it is closed, they often put on their snow clothes and play out in the snow. They look for an excuse to miss school in order to do something else.
We could have had church and left the decision to travel up to the individual. The problem is that there are those who are so committed they will put themselves at risk in order to come to church. Others would go because they do not want to look unspiritual, but are looking for an excuse not to go to church and to save face at the same time. The one loves to be in the house of worship. The other really does not want to go to church in the first place. Either way, the issue of safety remains.
Though the motive to cancel may be safety, the way it is received is mixed. Like the kids at school, some people are glad church is canceled and watch hopefully for snow. Others would go no matter how bad it gets and are disappointed when church is canceled. In the end, we can make the call for safety, but we can't control how it is received. Hopefully people are disappointed when church is canceled and eagerly await the next worship service (Hebrews 10:25).
School is often canceled when weather poses a risk. Kids eagerly watch for school to close at the first sign of snow. When it is closed, they often put on their snow clothes and play out in the snow. They look for an excuse to miss school in order to do something else.
We could have had church and left the decision to travel up to the individual. The problem is that there are those who are so committed they will put themselves at risk in order to come to church. Others would go because they do not want to look unspiritual, but are looking for an excuse not to go to church and to save face at the same time. The one loves to be in the house of worship. The other really does not want to go to church in the first place. Either way, the issue of safety remains.
Though the motive to cancel may be safety, the way it is received is mixed. Like the kids at school, some people are glad church is canceled and watch hopefully for snow. Others would go no matter how bad it gets and are disappointed when church is canceled. In the end, we can make the call for safety, but we can't control how it is received. Hopefully people are disappointed when church is canceled and eagerly await the next worship service (Hebrews 10:25).
Friday, January 9, 2009
No Exceptions
I am always amazed at what draws people away from the Lord. For some people, it is a hobby that consumes their time. For others, it is a job. Some are overcome by desire. Whatever it is, if it draws us away from the Lord, it is wrong. Instead of allowing ourselves to be drawn away from the Lord, we should allow the Lord to direct all our energies. The Bible tells us that we should do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). If we enjoy a hobby, listen to music, fulfill a desire, do a job, or otherwise spend time doing anything, it all must be done without any dishonor or offense to Christ. Everything we do must come under review and meet with his approval. If it cannot, then it will drive us away from Christ. We are told to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and not to focus on how to gratify our sinful desires (Romans 13:14). Christ must be Lord of all or he is not Lord at all. We are warned not to try to serve two masters. We can not serve Christ and serve our own desires (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13). Christ must be master of our life in all areas. No exceptions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)