Merry Christmas! How thankful I am for this day. So thankful that God came to the earth in the form of human flesh, Jesus. This Christmas season has been a little different for me than in years past. Seeing Christmas through the eyes of a two-year-old has been humbling. We went to church with Lance's parents over the weekend which is the church we used to attend. Pastor S's
sermon inspired me to reflect on my own faith journey. Some of the following reflections are borrowed in part from him.
Matthew 18:3-4 says, "...
unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus was not encouraging a childlike faith; he was advising us to seek the humility of a child. Children are characteristically humble and teachable. Not so long ago, I had a childlike faith. Children are easily fooled and distracted. They tend to accept things without asking questions. That was me. Growing up, I thought that being a Christian meant I would go to heaven because I believed in God. Jesus, other than providing for me to go to heaven, had no real place in my life.
Sometimes I feel so guilty that so much of my life was wasted not knowing that there is so much more that God wants for my life than what I was living for then. In Matthew 13:19, Jesus says, "When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart....." Growing up, I did hear the message about the kingdom. But I didn't understand it. When I read my bible in Sunday school and confirmation, the words were confusing and I struggled to make any connections to the life I was living. I obviously didn't want to go to hell, so of course I wanted to believe that God is real, so I could go to heaven. My religion was about believing in God so I could get to heaven. Why? The bible says that the devil snatched away what was being sown into my heart. Faith is a journey, and I guess I had to start somewhere. Since then, my faith has grown and my heart is filled with joy that only comes from the assured confidence in the object of my faith, Jesus Christ.
Maybe the devil is snatching away what's being sown into your heart. Maybe you're like a seed falling on rocky ground and since you have no root, your faith only lasts a short time (Matthew 13:20). Maybe you're like the seed falling among the thorns. You hear the Word, but your sinful nature and earthly desires choke out the Word (Matthew 13:22). My prayer this Christmas is that you would be like the seed falling on good soil, producing a crop one hundred times what was sown (Matthew 13:23).
When I met Lance, I knew there was something different about him. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but I liked it. It confused me, but I wanted it. I asked him how I was supposed to make this change, and he told me I needed to pray. So I pray, and prayed, and prayed. I prayed that God would help me to figure out what Lance had that I didn't. I sincerely prayed for God to change me. To help me know God, follow Jesus, and understand the scriptures. I'm not good with change, and God knows that. So, He slowly changed me. God has promised us that, if we seek Him with all our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). I am so thankful that I did.
Jesus expects one thing from us: to base our life on his teachings. God wants to use us to make his dream for the world come true.
God, this Christmas day, I pray that my family's and friends' hearts would seek You. Open their understanding so that they can understand the scriptures. Open their eyes to know You. Amen.
sportin' Grandma's scarf
