Celebrating the Prince of Peace

-
I know there are a lot of advent and Christmas devotionals out there (hopefully you’re already taking some time to go through one right now as Christmas approaches) that are far better written than anything I have to say.  But as I’ve been spending time in God’s word lately, preparing my heart for the true meaning of the season, some important pieces have struck me and I just wanted to share.  Maybe they’ll be an encouragement to your heart in this busy time of year as well. 
Ephesians 1:7-8 says, “In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.”  With all wisdom and understanding.  God knew exactly what He was getting Himself into when He sent His only perfect Son to earth in human form.  It wasn’t like Jesus got here, lived 30 or so years, decided to start a ministry, and then was like, “Wowza.  These people are super messed up!  Do I really want to serve them with all that I am and die to take away THEIR sins?”  He knew how people would mistreat Him.  He knew how generations and generations later, we would still be messing up.  A lot.  But He also knew that lives would be transformed because of the work He would accomplish on this earth.  So Jesus lived a hard human life, loving sinful people.  He kept His mind on the joy of His Father and the joy of salvation for all who believe and He endured the cross for us (Hebrews 12:2).  He knew every single sin and every individual sinner He was dying for on that cross and He did it anyway.  Can you think of any single act more full of love in all of human history?
As you go through this season of anticipation to celebrate the birth of Jesus, be encouraged that the same love and grace that came to earth on Christmas day over 2000 years ago is still available to us today.  In fact, it’s lavished on us, according to 1 John 3:1.  With all the crazy happening in our world and country and lives right now, I’m so grateful to celebrate the Prince of Peace this season.    

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What's it like to work with Loudoun students?

-
Over the past two-ish years since I started this FCA journey, I’ve had the opportunity to meet FCA staff from all over the United States and the world.   It’s always interesting to talk to people who are doing ministry in different places.   There are times when it’s helpful because you learn that many people face similar challenges to do ministry in their places.   But there have also been times when I realize how different Loudoun County is from other parts of the US (and even other parts of Virginia!).   Virginia might be considered a southern state in the general sense, and parts of Virginia definitely fit into “Bible-belt” culture, but Loudoun County certainly does not.   Compared to other counties in the southern part of the state, Loudoun is far more diverse, affluent, and highly educated.   It is not the norm to call oneself a Christian here.   Our schools have a wide variety of cultures and religions represented, and although that can create some challenges for ministry, it’
Read more

Step by Step

-
Image
Tomorrow morning I leave for my first FCA camp of the summer, Virginia Leadership Camp.   My role at this camp and our upcoming multi-sport camp at the University of Richmond is Huddle Leader Coordinator.   I love this role because it means I get to the camp early and train and equip the college athletes who will then lead the middle and high school students attending the camp.   If I’m honest, over the past couple of weeks, I’ve spent more mental energy stressing about filling these Huddle Leader roles than I have spent praying about it, forgetting that the battle is not mine, but God's (2 chronicles  20:12 ). What if, every time I start to feel my anxiety elevate, I pause and praise God in the midst of the battle? What kind of great blessing would I see then, both for our camp in and in my own life?   I believe the enemy knows that students’ and coaches’ lives are changed at camp and he will do whatever he can to discourage us before we even get there.   I need to remind myself
Read more

The Idolatry of Safety

-
My favorite scene in C.S. Lewis’s book, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe is when the children are learning about Aslan, the Christ figure in the books, for the first time.  In the scene, Susan, Lucy, and their brothers are talking to Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, who inform them that Aslan is likely not exactly what they expect: “Aslan is a lion – the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he – quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"... "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” He’s not safe.  But He’s the King.  How often do I live in a way that equates safety with God’s goodness?  I mean, this is crazy thinking, right?  But don’t we all feel this way sometimes?  Even though the Bible clearly says that following Jesus means taking up your cross (which doesn’t sound very safe to me)
Read more