Laying Bricks

by Ryan Duncan, as posted on Crosswalk the Devotional

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:43-45

Sometimes, I get restless. I went to college at Taylor University, a small Christian school in the middle of Cornfield, Indiana. Though Taylor wasn’t very big, it strove to serve Christ, and encouraged its students to impact the world for God. During the January term, when you could sleep all day and goof-off all night, Taylor offered something called Lighthouse Missions. Instead of wasting their brief vacation, students became a part of service-learning projects that allowed them to share Christ with a world in need.

When Spring Break came around, and the beaches of Florida were calling, it sent students everywhere from Russia to the neighboring town of Grant County, where they engaged in housing projects, orphan care, and outreach. It was tough giving up those precious vacation days, but it felt good to know you were serving Christ. Unfortunately, after graduation opportunities like these are harder to come by. With a forty to fifty-hour work week, not to mention budgeted money and vacation time, jetting off to some foreign location isn’t something you can just do.

I can remember sitting in church, boiling with frustration because I couldn't just go do something like I had in college. God clearly has a sense of irony, because at that moment the pastor stood up and asked for volunteers to help pack up after the service. My problem? I had become the “wealthy giver.” Not sure what I mean? Read this story in Mark 12:

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." - Mark 12:41-44

It’s amazing how serving Christ can easily become something selfish. I was only interested in serving if it was on my terms, and because of that, I let a lot of opportunities pass me by. The truth is that volunteering for a church nursery could be just as important in God’s eyes as building houses in another country.

An old professor once told my class that the kingdom of God is built on willing hearts. When we choose to follow God, we are laying the bricks of his kingdom, and creating a sturdy foundation for others to stand on. So get involved, and if you feel God leading you toward a big opportunity, take it. But don’t be too proud to serve in the small places. Sometimes it’s the little things that make all the difference.

Intersecting Faith and Life: What opportunities does your church offer for serving? Take a moment to look them over and see if one is good for you. Churches are always looking for volunteers to help with children and young adults.

Imitators

By Robin Wiley 

Scripture

Ephesians 5:1-2  (ESV)

5 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

 In Ephesians 5 Paul tells us to be “imitators of Christ.” Just like we all did as children, we would mimic the behavior and characteristics of our parents; we are to imitate the behaviors and characteristics of Christ.

Hannah would do that a lot with Scott, when she was younger. They both had a way of biting on their lips when they are concentrating on a task. It’s hilarious to watch because they look so very much alike! I would do something similar with my older sister, Dawn. I would copy everything she did or said and would act like her at home. It drove her crazy and caused some heated scuffles between us! Funny, because isn’t there a saying or proverb that says: “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”?  Hm…..food for thought Dawnie!

When we imitate Jesus more – we don’t have to wonder what our behavior should be in any given situation. In the Bible we have the biography of Christ as our perfect example of how to respond to the circumstances we face each day with humility, love, wisdom, patience, kindness and grace.

This passage in Ephesians tells us that we imitate Jesus by walking in love. But what does it mean to walk in love? When you take a walk, as opposed to a run, it allows you the ability to get a clearer picture of the things that surround you. We walk in love when we give careful attention to the moments of our lives with a mindfulness that sends each and every thought, encounter, action and reaction through the filter of “Am I thinking, speaking and treating others the way Jesus would if He were in my shoes right now?”

Do you remember the slogan from the 1990’s “What Would Jesus Do?”; shortened to be WWJD? – it actually originated in 1886 from a series of sermons by an American minister from Topeka, Kansas by the name of Charles Sheldon.[1] To increase attendance at his Sunday sermons, Sheldon would tell an entertaining story, posing the question, “What would Jesus do?” where there was a moral decision or situation and then end each story on a cliffhanger ensuring the people would come back the following week to learn what happened next. He later wrote a book with this slogan and stories.

It was later used by a youth minister in Michigan who read Sheldon’s book to motivate her students to keep it in mind as went about their daily lives. Not a bad idea for all of us – right? Despite it being a popular catchphrase – it is can be our own slogan for our lives. “What Would Jesus Do?” – He would always come from a place of love. When we walk in love, we are reflecting the very nature of God in our thoughts and behavior. This is something we can all practice more by looking for ways to be a blessing to someone else. 

Charles Spurgeon wrote that believers are to be a “striking likeness of Jesus Christ”… so striking a likeness that the world will say of us, “he has been with Jesus; he has been taught of Him; he is like Him.”[2]

Be more like Jesus!

PRAYER: Father God, forgive us for being poor imitators of you to our family and others around us. May your Holy Spirit fall fresh on us today and help us to be mindful to reflect you in every thought, word and action. Help us to recognize each day the opportunities before us, big or small, to be the face of Jesus to the world. And help us to selflessly love others as you have loved us. We pray all this in the mighty name of our savior - Jesus! – Amen!

[1] The University of Kansas, “Book Traces Origin of Phrase in WWJD Moment” https://news.ku.edu/2015/04/24/book-traces-origin-phrase-wwjd-movement-topeka-minister-social-activist

[2] The Spurgeon Center, “Christ’s People – Imitators of Him” https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/christs-people-imitators-of-him/

When God Is Doing Something New

by Debbie McDaniel, as posted on Crosswalk the Devotional

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Is. 43:18-19

Sometimes...God is wanting to do something "new" and yet we're still stuck in the "old." It's hard at times. To let go. Of what's familiar, and what we know. It seems easier to stay "comfortable," to just keep going with the flow, not to mess anything up. But then "new" happens, and often sends us spiraling, on one big, long loop.

For those who like change - "new" is mostly exciting.

For those who don't like change - "new" is mostly stressful.

Your family, if you're like most, is probably a mix of those two traits.

But here's what I love about God. He thinks and works outside our own box of thinking. He doesn't always work in the ways that we would have chosen for our "new." If we had to have a "new."

He sees the big picture. He knows what He's doing. He works behind the scenes of life that unfold our every day, in the places where we can't always see or understand all the “why's.”

So we can trust...that He has our best in mind. That He's got our back. He’s with us right now. And He's secured our future too.

Sometimes our "new" comes out of great blessing, new opportunities. And sometimes it comes through great pain, huge loss.

People move, life happens, decisions are made, many change jobs, kids grow up, and there are times we might go through some really tough struggles. We may even start to feel cheated. Like life is unfair.

But it still breathes this truth: God is not finished with our lives yet. You're still here. And He has great purpose in all that you walk through, even in every life change and season.

Whether we recognize it or not, we’re rubbing shoulders every day with people that we needed to meet in our "new," however hard that new thing may be.

We can rest in His care for us. He knows. He sees. He works in ways we don't always "get," but there's peace in knowing we don't have to try to control it all. We can let go - of the need to figure it all out, and the striving to make things happen.

We can trust Him.

Our future awaits, and there's still good around the bend. God has more in store.

Peace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: If you find yourself in a new season right now, or you’re struggling to find the good in changing times, be assured that God has the best in store. Choose to trust that He’s working on your behalf today, even in ways you may not fully see or understand.

The Year of Hidden Blessings

by Katherine Britton, as posted on Crosswalk the Devotional

"For he wounds, but he also binds up; he injures, but his hands also heal."  - Job 5:18

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17

I'm evaluating all that happened last year. I always appreciate the post-holiday lull that allows for more quiet reflection, even if I don't go crazy on the New Year's resolutions. I need that time to stop going, going, going, and just take a look at what God has done.

In summing up this year, I'm calling it the year of hidden blessings. I nearly burned my house down in February, ended up the smushed middle car in a five-car highway accident in May, nervously watch the school system where my husband works make staff cuts, and more. I feel lucky to have survived the year, and I don't mean that as an exaggeration. Mentally, I know that I'm dependent on God's sustaining grace every year. This year, though, I practically had my nose rubbed in the fact. All the close calls made me face "what could have happened" and respond with thankfulness that it didn't. But the crazy thing is, the Lord didn't just deliver me through all these instances unscathed. He used my own stupidity to bring about good things. In other words, I experienced a whole lot of divine grace this year.

In what has become known as "The Fire" (that's capitalized), half our cabinets burned, our refrigerator and stove were effectively destroyed, and various portions of drywall got pulled down by a fire department focused on safety precautions. But in the aftermath of The Fire, we found out insurance would pay for much of the remodel. So we went to work installing a much more functional - and beautiful - kitchen. For me, this was an object lesson in how God rescues his people. I'm a results-oriented person, so I often struggle with being "good enough" for God, with "earning" favor by being a good little Christian. But Christ provides us with the gift of life despite our best efforts to fumble it. As I looked around my soot-stained kitchen, knowing that my actions had caused the destruction and that someone else would finance the essential repairs… believe me, that's humbling.

I could go on about the other life scenarios we lived through this year, but you get the idea. In any case, each circumstance began with heartache and a "what do we do now" cry. Each ended with God making his provision known in funny, little ways. Sometimes the situation was made better materially; sometimes relationally; sometimes spiritually. Now, I look back on each of those minor catastrophes and see that God was at work. He truly does work for the good of those who love him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: Everyday mercies surround us. After this year, I'm convinced that God uses every circumstance to bless us. That doesn't mean we will never suffer or that we will always come out on top. Instead, it means that he will use our circumstances to bring us closer to himself. That's the greatest gift we can ask for.

God and Treadmills

By Ryan Duncan, as posted on crosswalk the devotional

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance. - 2 Thessalonians 3:5

Ever since I moved to Richmond I’ve acquired a taste for working out. There’s just something addicting about going to the gym after a long day at the office and pounding a treadmill until you feel the moisture on your forehead. If I don’t get my usual workouts, I tend to go stir crazy. That’s why I can’t stand January. After every New Year’s celebration, like clockwork, the gyms become crowded with people who have resolved to become healthier.

Because of the crowds, it becomes harder to get equipment, find parking spaces, or do any of my usual exercises. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m glad people are trying to get healthier and I encourage anyone who wants to start working out to give it a try, but I still get frustrated because I know that within a month most of these people will be gone. Exercise requires a lot of commitment and perseverance, and while a lot of people have resolved to live better, when the hard part comes they give up. You could say the same thing applies to faith. I cannot tell you how many times God has revealed himself in my life through his grace, his power, or even his sense of humor. But despite all these moments, it’s still so easy for me to doubt, to get angry with God and wonder if he has a plan, or if he’s even there at all.

The book of James is useful in moments like this, and even offers some encouragement for when we’re tempted to doubt.    

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” – James 1:2-8

Spiritual workouts are no different from our physical ones. If you want to run a marathon, you first have to run a mile, and if you want to become a tool for Christ, you have to trust him first. So don’t be afraid of trials and challenges, but instead embrace them as opportunities to mature in your faith. It won’t be easy, and odds are you’ll probably have to endure some difficult and painful experiences, but in the end you’ll look back and know you’re stronger because of it.

Intersecting Faith and Life: Apply God to your daily life through the exercise of prayer and service.

Resolutions and Redemption

by Anna Kuta

“For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

It’s that time of year again! I’m talking about New Year’s resolutions, of course. It’s still December as I’m writing, but I guarantee that by the time you read this, I’ll already be asking myself what possessed me to come up with such grand, unattainable plans the new year. (It seemed like a good idea at the time). Every year I tell myself it’ll finally be the year I keep all my resolutions. I mean, come on – how hard can it possibly be to finally set aside an hour for exercise each day, to stop consuming so much chocolate and coffee, and to never sleep for less than eight hours again?

Why are New Year’s resolutions so hard to keep? I don’t know, but it’s a lot like another area of life. Let me explain.

Before I became a Christian at the age of 17, I approached my life the same way I often approach New Year’s resolutions. I would try so hard to do the right things but I always ended up falling flat. I convinced myself that as long as I was the “good girl,” I’d be fine, so I tried really hard to live up to certain standards to please everyone, and hopefully God too. The problem, though, is that there’s nothing anyone can do in his or her own power to “earn” God’s favor.

As Ephesians 2:8 says, it’s by God’s grace that we are saved, not because of anything we could ever hope to attain or accomplish. God’s gift of His son Jesus Christ to save us from our sins through His death and resurrection is just that – a gift. Doing all the good, noble things in the world will never earn salvation, and like verse 9 says, nobody could ever think of boasting about such an undeserved gift.

Of course, the desire to do the right things is one result of making Jesus the Lord of your life, but we all continue to mess up because, after all, we are just sinners saved by grace. I still lose sight of it all sometimes and get caught up in the cycle of trying to “out-good” myself and others. This new year, however, in light of any New Year’s resolutions you may have made (or already broken), join me in remembering the assurance of one thing we never have to work to attain: God’s grace.

Intersecting Faith & Life: It’s hard to live up to New Year’s resolutions, but it’s impossible to earn God’s favor through good works or noble aspirations. This year, realize and thank God anew for the gift of His grace and salvation through Jesus.

Sometimes it Takes Two Christmas Trees

by Laura MacCorkle as posted on Crosswalk the Devotional

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. - Phil. 1:6, NIV

If you wanted to put up your Christmas tree one more time again this year, raise your hand.

I didn’t think so. And I didn’t want to put up my trusty, artificial Christmas tree again this year either, but I had to. You see, when I put up my first tree right after Thanksgiving, I knew that the rigging I had done to make sure the top half of the tree stayed in place was on its last leg and that I would need to break down and purchase a new tree next year.

But then something funny happened on the way to December 25. A couple of days later, the top half just fell off. As in, completely toppled over and onto my living room floor. For a second, I thought about just abandoning having a Christmas tree at all this year. I was frustrated and had already put in so much effort. Why go through this whole rigmarole again in the very same week?

But something in me wouldn’t give up. I WILL have a Christmas tree, I thought. And I’ll find a way and the time to get a replacement tree bought and decorated this week!

So I regrouped, purchased another tree and started all over again. Now, what I don’t enjoy about putting up my tree is the unfurling of all of the branches that have been smashed up in the tree’s box. And then even more unenjoyable than that is when I have to wrap the lights around the tree. The fake needles and branches scratch up my hands as I’m pushing lights into all of the nooks and crannies. It stings my skin, but I do it so that there’s a beautiful glowy backdrop for all of my ornaments.

Once I get past all of that, then I actually do enjoy putting up my Christmas tree. First, I put the tree skirt in its place. Next, I lace around the sparkly garland. And then, since I have multiples of many ornaments (glass icicles, dangling bells, painted balls, etc.), I strategically place them first so that not all of one type of ornament is having its own holiday gathering on one branch of the tree. After I’ve done all of that, then I can place the one-of-a-kind ornaments here and there, pop the tree topper on the treetop and Christmas is good to go.

So then, there was great rejoicing when the Christmas tree was completed (and no, that’s not a Bible verse). I just love looking at this beautiful creation. And to see it sparkle and glow... well, it makes for something glorious in my home.

Perhaps that’s how the Father feels when he looks at us, his divine creations. How many times has he had to pick us back up when we’ve toppled over our lives? Or unwind the tangled mess we’ve made because of our disobedience to him? Somehow, in his great love, he never gives up on us. Because Jesus made a way for us to come to the Father, God is faithful and continually works to make us radiant and pleasing to him.

I’m thankful God doesn’t tire of putting me back together each and every day of the year. In fact, if I know him, and I do, I think even if it took putting up a gazillion Christmas trees that he will never tire of working in our lives so that we might glorify him.

Intersecting Faith & Life: How has the Father shown you his kindness, his patience and the ways that he is long-suffering toward you this year? Thank him for the gift of his Son this Christmas and that because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed (Lam. 3:22).

Tell Everybody!

by Anna Kuta, as posted on crosswalk the devotional

So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds (Luke 2:15-18).

Every December my church puts on an event called Bethlehem Walk, an interactive living nativity of sorts that takes people through a recreation of first-century Bethlehem and then through scenes of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Thousands of people from the community and even all over the state come each year to hear about the real meaning of Christmas. I’ve been a cast member almost every year, but this year for the first time I played the part of a guide, who leads groups of people through the city and from one drama scene to the next.

If I thought it would get monotonous saying the same lines, hearing the same story and seeing the same things acted out on repeat for 20 hours in one weekend, I could not have been further from the truth. One of my favorite parts was seeing the reactions of people in my groups to each of the scenes, especially the kids.

After the group watches the angels appear to the shepherds in the field and tell them of Jesus’ birth, we hurry with the shepherds to the stable to see it for ourselves. After we learn that this baby really is the Messiah, the guide is supposed to tell the group, “Come, let us go tell others what we have seen!” (From there, the group stumbles upon the three kings and points the way to them.) One night, however, I had a group of kids who were as enthralled with the whole story as anyone I’d ever seen. When we got to the manger, they crowded in close, eyes wide, like they’d never seen anything like it. They watched with awe as Mary sang “Silent Night” and rocked the baby Jesus in her arms. And just when she finished and I opened my mouth to speak my lines, I was upstaged – one little boy in the front jumped up and shouted, “It’s Jesus! We gotta tell everybody!”

Sure, we all crack a smile, but the little boy had it absolutely right. Tell everybody! The shepherds did just that after the angels pointed them to baby Jesus – they made it “widely known,” according to Luke 2:17. How could they keep quiet, having seen what they had seen? How can I keep quiet, having been redeemed by Christ?

If you, like me, ever feel unqualified or unworthy to share the Gospel, remember the shepherds. They were the most unlikely messengers of the Messiah’s birth – rough, poor, dirty; outcasts of society. God could have sent the angels to proclaim the news to anyone, but he chose the shepherds. He used them as the first-ever preachers of the Gospel.

Just as the shepherds could not keep quiet about what they saw when they found Jesus, so it should be for us. This Christmas season, share the good news – not just of Jesus as the baby in the manger, but of Jesus who came to save us from our sin.

Intersecting Faith & Life: With whom can you share the good news of Jesus?

Riding The Waves

By Robin Wiley

John 16:33

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

The Proverb passage is by far my most favorite verses in the Bible and something I try to follow in my daily walk. But it is not always easy to do. Trust. Trust in someone else to guide my steps, my decisions, my actions, and my thoughts in life. It is something I have to choose every day I wake up – to trust God with everything – the good, bad and ugly.

Recently, Scott and I went on a ten-day vacation to Hawaii with Scott’s sister, Cindy and her husband Randy. All four of us have been married 16 years this year and they were actually celebrating their anniversary during our trip time (Scott and I celebrated this past July). We went to the island of Kauai for four days and then to the “Big Island” or Kona. My brother-in-law had planned a number of excursions on both islands but it was the evening swim/snorkel with manta rays that was concerning me the most. I can swim but am not that strong of a swimmer. Plus, I have a fear of the ocean/sea/lake and what lies beneath that I cannot see. I remember when I was younger and my stepdad would take me out on the lake we lived near to go fishing, and sometimes sitting in the middle of the lake – I would envision all sorts of lake monsters lurking below the surface; just ready to rise up and eat us sitting in the boat. (Yes - my imagination has a habit of scaring me sometimes.)

We left the marina with about 18 other people and the crew on a good size boat out to the ocean along the coast. The waves and wind had been rough the day before with winter storms that had passed through the islands and the captain cautioned us that the ride out to the sight was going to be bumpy and rough. He was not wrong.

The boat cut through huge waves as we speed across the ocean and the bow would rise up high in the air and slam back down as it rolled over the waves. It felt like a roller coaster. A bad roller coaster. I can deal with motions and luckily was not sick like many others on the boat, including my sister-in-law, but I was extremely petrified with fear. Fear the boat would sink. Fear I would drown. Fear that the ocean would take me. Fear that those monsters below would finally get me.

The captain announced that five people could go to the front of the boat and hang out there through the 25-minute ride. Scott asked me if I wanted to go – I immediately shook my head no. Fifteen minutes later, the crew changed out the five and asked if any others wanted to go experience the ride from the front of the boat. Scott again asked me and the look in his eyes said he really wanted me to go. I decided at that point – I either needed to trust God that He would keep me safe on this journey or be resigned to live out my life giving into my fears.

As I walk to the front of the very rocky and rolling boat, fiercely gripping the rails as I went to the front, I could hear the Holy Spirit talking to me and reminding me that my Savior, Jesus, walked on water – very similar to what I was seeing and experiencing. These rolling and frightening waves – He conquered easily and I envisioned Jesus extending His hand out to me like He did with the Apostles saying – “Do not be afraid.” (Matt 14:27)And then I wasn’t. In fact, my body relaxed and I was riding the waves just like the motion of the boat and it felt wonderful. The rest of my time at the front was spent thanking the Holy Spirit for my new found confidence. I was determined to have the best experience on this excursion and I did.

We saw seven mantas swim so very close to us (there were 10 of us per board) – where they did “rolling” somersaults right underneath us floating above. It was very dark out at that point and they had these special lights on a board that would light up the water and the plankton food. There were many other boats and people out there as well in this special spot. And according to the captain – this seven-mile stretch of underwater near the coast was the only place in the world where thousands of manta rays come through to feed at night. It was an amazing experience – one I will not forget. All thanks to trusting in the “One who has overcome the world” (John 16:33).

It is easy to miss out on experiences and blessings in life when we are fearful or full of doubt. I truly believe that God loves us and only wants good things for us. It’s the world that is evil and broken – but I don’t have to be. I can choose to trust. I can choose to follow and be obedient.   

What are you going to choose this day?

(I am including a couple of pictures of the boat we were on as well as what it looked like being in the water snorkeling at night – what an experience I will not soon forget!!)

Boat we took - Captain Bill

Manta Ray snorkeling around board.

God in the Middle of Our Camp John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. (John 1:1-18)

God in the Middle of Our Camp

John 1:1-18 

            When we pull out the Advent candles and begin to look toward the celebration of Christ’s coming into the world, we are making a heavy declaration.  Each day of this season is a reminder that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).  Matthew’s description of Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Immanuel, God with us (1:23) and Paul’s assertion that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19) are essentially affirming the same amazing proclamation of good news.  John’s words point our minds back to the tabernacle of the Old Testament, in which God moved into the neighborhood with His people.  Jesus’ incarnation was the ultimate fulfillment of this divine descent.  Christmas is, at its heart, a celebration of how because of Jesus now God dwells in the middle of our camp.  If God engages the world, not from a safe distance, but from within, what implications does that engagement have for our lives and ministries?

Friends, whose neighborhood does Jesus want to move into through us?  Whose messy life might God be inviting us to engage with genuine love?  As we celebrate Advent, heading toward Christmas, let’s do so celebrating how God has moved right in the middle of our camp and asking ourselves, “How might my life point others to Jesus?” 

Catch yesterday’s message here

Where Is Your Joy?

 by Debbie Holloway

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

The winter season can be bleak for many. Students are preoccupied with their work. Others become easily stressed with the pressure to plan (and cook for) family gatherings associated with the various winter holidays. Some of us even struggle with S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder), a medical condition where melancholy and sorrow creep up, due in part to the lack of sunshine.

There is something special, then, about the coming of spring. About seeing daffodils peek their yellow heads above the ground for the first time.

I imagine the Jews of Jesus’ day longed for the spring of the Lord’s favor. No word from the Lord had come for a long time. Jews were living under a powerful, pagan Roman government. While the people were not necessarily miserable or oppressed, their joy perhaps had worn a little thin. They no doubt pined for something better.

Imagine, next, the Shepherds who were visited by Angels on the night of Christ’s birth. The hum-drum of their evening duties, perhaps even their sleep, was interrupted in a big way.

And the glory of the Lord shone around them.

And they were terrified.

But the terror was short-lived, of course. What terror can stand against such amazing, incredible, joy?

A savior has been born to you.

 "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about"  they exclaimed (Luke 2:15).

Is it any wonder that the third candle of Advent, the Joy candle, is called The Shepherd’s Candle? Perhaps no other figure in the nativity story was blessed to receive such unblemished, unmitigated joy as the shepherds were. There they were, pegging away like every other day, when – for no reason other than God’s favor – they were given the gift of joy. They were shown the Messiah, their looked-for Messiah, and had glimpsed into that eagerly-awaited spring of the Lord’s favor.

This season, as Christmas edges ever closer, let us remember this joy. We too await another awakening: the Lord’s second coming. We continue to fight through the pangs and groaning of a world which continually gives birth to sin. But, in this season, let us remember the Incarnation with as much joy as did those first witnesses.

“A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” – John 16:21-22

Intersecting Faith and Life: Is your joy in Christ such that no one can take it away? If not, take some time to meditate on God’s gift of an incarnated Christ to the world.

Trade Value (by Steve Urbina)

Once upon a time, a wise person I knew had a fantasy football team with 3 great quarterbacks.  These players were the creme of the crop, Aaron Rogers, Lamar Jackson & Kyler Murry.  He valued these players as they would routinely score more than 40+ points a game, but alas he could only play one at a time.  He knew he had 3 very valuable desirable players that would lift any team.    

He looked at the other teams in the league with QB names like Taylor Heinicke, Davis Mills Danny Dudds, and Zach Wilson.  Surely these deficient QB teams would want, no, need one of these 3 QBs.  But as sad as some QB’s played he could never get a trade offer that reflected a top-tier QB value.

No one else saw the level of value of the QB’s like he did.  He saw how much potential and ability these QB’s had.  The other fantasy teams acknowledged the QBs were better than what they had but they didn’t need one bad enough.  There was a difference in valuation, the owner saw the high value the other teams saw not enough value.

This reminds me of the story of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:17-22.

  17 As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

18-19 Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.”

20 He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!”

21 Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

22 The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

This guy at first glance had his life together, was rich, knew the word, and he wanted more.  He tracks Jesus down and directly asks him, “what’s it going take to close this deal?”  He saw value in what Jesus represented.

 Jesus responds, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

The young ruler quickly did the math and decided the price was too steep for him.  This was a trade that was too steep.  He wanted it but not as much as he wanted his wealth.

Think about what we value now?  What do you value above God?  What do you value above your family?  

Do you put work above everything?   Do you value status? Money? What do your friends think?  What the world thinks?   

Do you value getting ready for game day 3 hours before the game and skipping Sunday school and church, then watching another 3 hours of football?  All the while your kids may need your attention.

Maybe you are so close to getting that next big client, or job, or buying the next best toy, and you keep telling yourself that all that time you focus on it will pay off in the end. 

Jesus valued the rich young ruler more than you may value your top player.  Jesus stopped, made time in his busy day to hear, see and understand him. To love on him, speak truth to him, go to the cross for him and die for him.  But the rich young ruler didn’t value all that enough.

Would you willingly go to be humiliated, beaten, and crucified for your favorite player?

Jesus did it for you.  He saw so much value in you that he died for you and your sins.  We must see the world more as Jesus did.  Value the eternal not the temporal.  Stop listening to the lies the world is screaming at you.  Like Skip Bayless & Steven A Smith yelling their next hot take, it’s just noise, no substance.

Invest in your spiritual development, your family’s spiritual development.  This will be hard to do because everything worthwhile is hard to do.  But don’t walk away from Jesus with a heavy heart, embrace Him, value him and try to be like him.  Accept his trade proposal, give up what you value, and accept his gift.

Maybe your fantasy team can make it with a second tier quarterback, but in reality, Jesus’ trade proposition is one you can’t afford to pass up!

Steve Urbina is a deacon at FBCW and manages the Mighty D-Duck-tibles Fantasy Football Team in the Baptist Ballers Fantasy Football League. His three quarterback strategy missed the fantasy playoffs by 4 games, but thankfully, following Jesus is a strategy that will end in the ultimate victory!

The Audacity of Christmas

By Mike Pohlman

So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. – 1 Corinthians 3:21-23

This Christmas millions of children (and adults) will find under their Christmas tree a Wii or Xbox or the latest Playstation. When the wrapping paper is ripped and the contents revealed shouts of joy will fill the room. (I’m planning on this as our kids open their Wii!) Each of these game consoles will bring countless hours of pleasure to the players. But as amazing as these machines are, they in no way compare to the audacity of God’s gift given at Christmas.

Consider the staggering promise of the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:21. He says, “all things are yours” by virtue of being in Christ. And what does Paul include in “all things”? Things like the world, life, death, the present and the future. Breathtaking. How can this be?

Galatians 4:4-7 shows how the Christian comes to inherit “all things.”

But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

Christmas marks the “fullness of time” when God, in his sovereign freedom, “sent forth his Son.” The One who dispenses times and seasons determined that it was time to send forth the Son who had existed with the Father from eternity. Indeed, the second person of the Trinity “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:6-7). He was “born of a woman, born under the law.” Here we have the wonder of the Incarnation: God of very God assuming a human nature.

Why would the Son of God take on flesh and dwell among sinful mankind? Why would divinity take on humanity and “become obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8)?

He did it to secure salvation. In other words, “to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:5). Christ came into the world not only to free us from the tyranny of sin, death and the devil, but also to crown us with unimaginable glory.

It is true that at the Cross Christ “redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us” (Galatians 3:13). But we have not been saved only in this “negative” sense. We have been adopted into God’s family and given all the rights and privileges of legitimate heirs. Paul captures this beautifully in 2 Corinthians 2:8-9, “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” And the riches that are ours in Christ are far greater than anything merely monetary. These riches are in fact “all things” for “all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s” (1 Corinthians 3:23). This is the audacity of Christmas and it is intended to redound “to the praise of [God’s] glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).

Intersecting Faith & Life: This Christmas I want to think and live as one adopted. One way to do this is to let every gift given to a loved one serve as a pointer to the Gospel. And when we consider how excited we are for the new Wii or Xbox or Playstation with its temporal pleasures, let us remember the eternal weight of glory that awaits the heirs of the King.

Who's Your Person?

From 21 Day Devotional Series, How to Love Life With Jesus– Day 18; East Coast Christian Center, https://eccc.us/bounce-back-devo

Scripture:

“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.” Matthew 18:12-14

Every year we ask each person at church to pick one person that they will pray for and believe God that they will come to Christ. We call it our “One Soul.” We do this twice a year—once in January and once around September. This is what happens…

The second you write down a name, there are two kingdoms fighting for dominance in your soul. The kingdom of darkness presses the buttons of fear, apathy, and discouragement to prevent you from reaching out to that person. But then there is the Kingdom of God that brings joy and excitement to not only pray for but to step out in faith to invite and connect with your “One!”

Jesus shares a story of sheep and shepherds to raise the value of people who are lost and maybe even devalued in our eyes. It’s so easy to think it’s hard or even scary to pursue a person who is lost. In our day, it would be like pretending you have two pet dogs and one of them escapes. Of course, you would leave your one dog at home and go find the other one…and when you did, you would be so happy and thankful that your dog didn’t get hit by a car or put in the pound or even stolen, that your joy would overcome any form of fear, anger, or fatigue.  

The lyrics from the song “Reckless Love” are an incredible picture of the love of Jesus that rescued the world. But the more I read the lyrics, the more I catch the spirit of adventure when you are after the one that is lost.  

“There's no shadow You won't light up

Mountain You won't climb up

Coming after me

There's no wall You won't kick down

Lie You won't tear down

Coming after me”

I want to remind you of verse 13 in the passage above, “He is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”

I have had several people in the lobby of church stop me and say with an excited whisper, “This is my One!” referring to the person standing next to them that has finally come to church. I can see a joy in their eyes that only comes from reaching a person for Jesus. The person standing next to them is the One they have been praying for, and they are responding to Jesus. When that one person raises their hand to receive Christ in church, there is a happiness that is present in that moment that you will carry with you for the rest of your life!

Prayer

Father God, help me overcome anything that would hold me back from reaching people for You. Show me the One person I need to be praying for. Let me experience the adventure and joy of being part of bringing one of Your children home. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

Reflection:

Who is the one person I will be praying for to receive Christ this month/year? 

A Prayer to See God’s Goodness

By: Chelsey DeMatteis

“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:10

“Slow down, pull over, transmission overheating!” This message flashed across the screen of our car as we were 435 miles from home, 15 miles from our exit, on a very busy highway. My husband quickly pulled over to the side of the road as I nervously watched cars, trucks, and semis fly by our SUV causing the car to shake.

“Lord, are you kidding me!”, I said from the back seat with our son. My husband shut off the car, prayed, and grabbed the owner's manual. He then did what the instructions said and we waited. I’m happy to say our vehicle did start and about 10 minutes later we were back on the road, obviously with a trip to an auto shop in the very near future!

A few hours later while unpacking and getting settled at our family lake house, I felt led to prayerfully thank the Lord for protecting us and getting us to our destination safely. I also realized while praying that in God’s goodness, He could’ve been using that “message of inconvenience” in the car to save us from a horrible accident or reroute us so we picked a closer exit where we wouldn’t hit a traffic jam.

I often find myself looking all around for God’s goodness, when all I really must do is look right in front of me. His goodness is packaged in all things, and as cliché as it sounds, His goodness is just as much the little things as the big things. It’s the breath in my lungs as my feet hit the floor in the mornings, it’s in the sweet encounters I have on my daily walk, and it’s most certainly in the smiling face of our little boy.

God’s goodness isn’t confined to the moments that feel grand, and it has become more meaningful to me since I realized this: His goodness is also in the unseen.

I believe the gifts in the unseen are one of the most overlooked parts of scripture. Ponder with me all God did in the unseen that only the prophets knew about. I think of the book of Exodus with all the conversations between Moses and the Lord. The Israelites didn’t know everything unfolding in these unseen conversations; all they could do was trust in the goodness of the One True God.

Look at this conversation between the Lord and Moses in Exodus 3:

“Then the Lord said, ‘I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.’” - Exodus 3:7-10 ESV

Brothers and sisters, God’s goodness is unfolding in the seen and unseen. In the big moments and also the mundane. In the convenient and inconvenient moments. We need only seek the Lord and His heart with eyes wide open to all He is doing. My prayer is that this encourages your heart as much as it did mine. I pray you to live aware of the goodness of God.

Pray with me…

Lord, thank you for all you do out of your great love for us. I pray that my heart seeks you and desires to see your goodness in all of life’s circumstances. May I always trust in you even when I cannot see what you are doing. Help me more and more see your goodness right in front of me.

In Jesus’s name,

Amen.

Would You 'Friend' the Apostle Paul?

by Mike Pohlman

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me...
2 Timothy 1:16-17

In the church today we need more people like Onesiphorus. He's one of those biblical characters that can be easily overlooked as we tend to focus on the "giants" of Scripture (i.e., Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Paul, etc.).

Consider, for example, what we learn of Onesiphorus in 2 Timothy 1:15-18:

You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me--may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!--and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

Three things in particular about Onesiphorus stand out:

1. When everyone else abandoned Paul, Onesiphorus went to him. Onesiphorus was not one to just "go along with the crowd." He risked ridicule, mockery and scorn to actually go against the prevailing tide of popular opinion regarding Paul.

2. Onesiphorus was not dissuaded by initial difficulties. So many of us have great idealism--until it gets hard. Then, we turn away. Not Onesiphorus. When he arrived in Rome and could not find Paul, the apostle commends Onesiphorus's perseverance: "when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me." Beautiful. What a friend!

3. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul. This is far greater than simply saying "Onesiphorus refreshed me." If that's all Paul had said we might wonder if Onesiphorus did it quietly--perhaps at night when no one could see. Did he sneak over to Paul's cell when no one was looking because he was embarrassed by his association with Paul? Not this friend. Paul, with perhaps the same tears I have welling up in my eyes as I type, wrote that Onesiphorus "was not ashamed of my chains." Onesiphorus did not care what people uttered or murmured--he was proud of Paul's determination to suffer for the sake of Christ.

What enabled Onesiphorus to act like this? What makes someone this counter-cultural, this counter-human? I can only conclude that Onesiphorus was so overwhelmed by his love for Jesus that he was now free from the approval of people; free from the fear of scorn; free from the allure of the world; free from indifference. Onesiphorus, by the power of the Gospel, was free to love.

What I see in Onesiphorus is the embodiment of Galatians 5:6, namely, "faith working through love." Onesiphorus's faith had an impulse--and that impulse was love. And this love was not weak or afraid or self-conscious in any way.

God help me to love like this.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What things might I do this week to demonstrate my love for a dear friend, family member or stranger? How can I practically show my faith working through love this week?

Paul the Musical

By: Pastor Ray Sanchez

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:16-17 ESV

We have an ongoing joke in the office that all I do is sing other people’s songs. While that is often true, I occasionally write my own. This Sunday, December 12, we will debut Paul The Musical. This is the fruit of a large part of my time over the pandemic, and much more time invested over the last several months in preparation for this performance. 

Two weeks ago, right before Thanksgiving, I was watching the children’s rehearsal and wondered to myself, “Why did I think I could write a good children’s musical? And who allowed me to submit our children to this terrible idea?” A few rehearsals later, I am pleasantly surprised with the quality of the work and of course super-proud of our children. The purpose of Paul The Musical was simple: to give our kids insight into the life of a major contributor to our faith and to ultimately remind us that our lives really should be all about Jesus! 

I hope you can invite friends and family to enjoy our performances this Sunday at 9:30 am and 11 am. 

A Prayer to Stop the Rush and Let Go of the Stress This Christmas

By Debbie McDaniel

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

It’s just days before Christmas.

And if you've found yourself struggling with the stress of making it all happen, of making Christmas ultra-special, magical, or perfect in every way - deep breath. It's OK, it's not all up to us.

We may start to carry that pressure, especially during these holiday weeks, though often unintentionally. We long to make wonderful, lasting memories for our kids, we want to have the best Christmas ever, we want everyone to be happy and just get along. There's this pressure all around to see what others are doing, or to buy more, or to busy ourselves more, and we somehow step right into that crazy cycle of spinning…

The most wonderful time of the year can leave many feeling defeated, depleted, and completely overwhelmed by about this time.

But we don't have to stay stuck there. We can move forward out of that trap. And let go of the striving in it all.

So, whether or not the shopping got finished yet, or the Christmas cards were sent out in a timely manner, or the lights were ever hung this year, it doesn't really matter.

Because real life doesn't usually look like a Norman Rockwell painting. It just looks like "us." Ordinary. Kind of messy. Not quite polished and maybe a few steps behind.

And Jesus came. For us. Just common, real, ordinary people.

He chose to enter the world through young Mary, simple, ordinary, unknown to others. His earthly father was Joseph, a quiet, honest, hard-working man who didn't have a lot of money. The first announcement of His birth came to shepherds in the fields. Real, simple, ordinary, maybe kind of smelly, night shift workers.

He's the One who brought the "special moment" to Christmas, that one night years ago.

Miracle wrapped up in a tiny baby.

It's all about Him.

And still today, that truth remains the same. In whatever we get done, and whatever we don't, through the holiday madness or the simple moments that often mean the most, Jesus came, offering peace. Giving grace. Bringing hope. It's what matters most, at Christmas, and all year through. He's the Only One who makes it all amazing and special.

Dear God,

Thank you for the gift of Jesus, the One who alone can save us and give us lasting joy. Thank you that your yoke is easy and your burden is light. Thank you that you promise to give the worried, the hurried, the pressured, and stressed out - rest and peace for our souls - if we'll just come before you. Thank you for your reminder that we don't have to carry it all. Forgive us for the times we try to, for not taking time to rest. Thank you for the refreshing that comes from your Spirit, filling us again with joy, covering us with a shield of favor and blessing, leading us forward with hope. Equip us to be those who notice the lonely, the hurting. Help us to slow down, to take time, to point others to you, and to remember most of all, what this season is all about.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

Praying Like The Master

From 21 Day Devotional Series, How Jesus Loves Through Us, – Day 12; East Coast Christian Center, https://eccc.us/bounce-back-devo

Praying Like The Master

Scripture

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32

What an incredible moment of care and shepherding by Jesus! Living a personal prayer life, Jesus tunes into what is about to happen. But Jesus didn’t stop at praying personal prayers. He encouraged Peter by saying, I know you’re about to hit some hard times, and I want you to know before it happens, that I’ve already prayed for you.

Jesus loves through you. I believe praying for someone is one of the most powerful ways for them to experience Jesus’ love. Notice in this passage, Jesus already prayed for Peter in private. That is such a significant example for us as we seek to follow Jesus. Yes, He prayed in public for people to receive healing, deliverance, and resurrection, but just as often, He prayed for others in private.  

We know this action of praying alone for others as intercession, and I believe through it, Jesus invites us to learn how to love as He loves. Jesus thought intentionally about Peter—about his strengths, weaknesses, purpose, and leadership. By praying, He strengthened Peter for the test that followed where Peter would deny Jesus before men. And although Peter’s faith shook at the events surrounding the arrest, crucifixion, and death of Jesus, the prayer of Jesus prevailed. Peter’s faith remained. Jesus rose from the grave and sought Peter out to restore him to lead, and Peter received Christ’s grace to fulfill that role.

By praying, He strengthened Peter.

There are people in our lives—spouses, children, parents, nephews, siblings, bosses, employees, friends, and neighbors—whom God is calling us to love through intercession with God’s spiritual insight. I believe our hearts enlarge when we pray beyond our personal struggles, dreams, needs, and issues. We grow in His love for others when we intercede for others. Let’s grow together.  

PRAYER

Jesus, thank You for interceding and praying for me. I want to do the same for others. Holy Spirit, give me ears and eyes and a heart to see who in my life needs strength. Let me be the one used to strengthen them in prayer today. Help me live beyond the circle of my personal world. Break my heart for what breaks Yours. Teach me to love Your world through my prayers. Amen.

Reflection:

• How am I balancing my prayers for myself and praying for others?

• Is there someone God is highlighting in my heart that I can intercede for in this moment?  

• God, will you show me 3 people to commit to consistently pray for?

Drop the Blanket 2: The Rest of Linus's Story from A Charlie Brown Christmas

Jason Soroski, Contributing Writer for Crosswalk the Devotional

A few days ago, I wrote down some thoughts about a beautiful moment that has been hidden in plain sight for 50 years in A Charlie Brown Christmas.

As a pastor, I am thrilled at the encouragement it has given, and as a former literature teacher, I am thrilled that it has started a firestorm of film analysis! Many of you have pointed out that at the end of the scene, Linus picks the blanket back up, and have openly wondered why.

After the epic, blanket-dropping recitation of Scripture given by Linus in response to Charlie Brown's quest for meaning, he picks the blanket back up.

Isn't that anti-climactic? Why would Linus pick that old security back up after so boldly proclaiming an end to fear? Why does he leave the stage with that security blanket still in his hand?

We first must realize that we all carry that same blanket.

Just like Linus, we may stand tall in a moment of faith and conviction, a moment when Scripture hidden in our heart comes to life, and all else is flung aside as we experience and proclaim the true freedom and security that only Jesus can give.

But at some point, out of habit, we reach down and pick that thing right back up. Faith, while powerful, is also delicate.

Linus clearly knows the truth, and clearly proclaims the truth. The knowledge is there and the wisdom is there and the passion is there. So why does he pick it back up?

I think the answer is strikingly clear. It is because we all do the same thing.

We know. We feel. We proclaim.

Yet we gaze in the mirror one morning to find that tattered old blanket draped over our shoulder yet again. And we realize that we have become so used to it being there that we hardly even noticed it.

But that is not where this blanket story ends.

The show ends with the Peanuts gang not just singing, but clearly and unquestionably singing in worship. Even the musical style at this point is different from anything else heard previously.

The obvious song choice here could have been "O Christmas Tree," the notes of which have already been playing gently in the background.

But the focus is no longer the tree. The focus has become bigger than the tree. The focus is Jesus.

With this new focus, the kids instead slide effortlessly into "Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Glory to the Newborn King," and what we are now witnessing is essentially an impromptu worship service.

But before any of this happens, Linus parts with that blanket yet again, and lays it down for good at the base of that beautiful Christmas tree, just as we should strive to not just lay our blanket down just anywhere, but leave it forever behind us at the foot of that cross, for our own good and the good of others.

Linus and friends have moved from speaking truth and hearing truth into a deeper place of worship, where they finally respond to that truth, much like those shepherds who were instructed to "fear not" so very long ago.

It is here at the end of the show that Linus lays that blanket down yet again, and this time? He doesn't look back.

As a writer and musician, Jason Soroski strives to communicate in a way that is insightful, meaningful, relevant, and mindful of the small things that we may otherwise overlook in our everyday lives. He effectively taps into his experiences as a worship pastor, classroom teacher, husband, and homeschooling father of five to relate poignant stories from real-life experiences. Jason holds an M.Ed. from Missouri Baptist University, has been featured in various print and web publications, and currently resides in Houston, TX. Read more from Jason at his blog The Way I See It.