A little girl was pushing her mother to the limit. Together they had cleaned, shopped, baked, wrapped, and had returned home from delivering a couple items to the church. The little girl wanted some time with mom and all mom wanted to do was get her bathed and in bed. Both wanted rest. They finished reading a book and they knelt down to say their prayers and the three year old decided to change things: “and forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Christmas against us!”
We can laugh, but there is some truth in that, or we wouldn’t be laughing. We’ve talked a lot about holiday stress this year. I know I’ve enjoyed the time writing each day; yes it has added a couple hours each day to my schedule, but it has allowed me two hours each day of devotion unrelated to a sermon or Bible Study. I’m grateful for time to be still and talk with God.
During the World War II years a boy looked frequently at a picture of his daddy on the table. His father had left for Europe when the boy was young. After several years the boy had forgotten him as a person but he would often look at the picture and say, “If only my father could step out of that picture and be real….”
The question posed with this story was, if only Jesus could step out of the Bible and be real? The great thing is, Christ did and does each day. He is real in the heartfelt note enclosed with a Christmas card, real in the smiles of the Salvation Army Bell Ringers, he is real in the faces of people serve meals and provide company to someone who is lonely. Jesus is real in the person who visits the nursing home and prison, sharing the peace, hope, joy, and love of Jesus Christ.
He is real in us, because His Holy Spirit is real and living in us. Let us also remember the words of John 1:14, “And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” God did not want to remain apart from us, but wanted to dwell with us and in us. He didn’t just write the words in the Bible, He lived them out for us.
While we can never become God, we can help God to step out of the picture and witness love in a very present way. We can reflect the light of Christ in the deepest darkness. As Jesus urges in Matthew 5:16: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Prayer: Father, you are our light and our salvation. Help us to never fear the darkness of sin every again. Help us to rise up today and reflect the light that You have shined on us. Give us opportunities to step out of the picture and share the love of Jesus with someone today. It is in His name we pray, Amen.
Grace and Peace, Pastor Brett
Amen!