Good afternoon fellas! Now that school has finally finished for this semester, and I have returned from my trip to Denver, I can finally sit down and write. Boy, have I missed it.
Christmas is coming up, and I know many of you have returned home for the holidays. Some will be seeing family members for the first time in a long time. This can be extremely stressful and extremely annoying.
I know for me, sometimes it can get kind of tense in the house, and I am sure some of you can also say that is true. The holidays are an easy time for evil to creep into our lives and affect our outlook on our families - make us negative and bitter and unforgiving.
None of that will change if we keep approaching our friends and family with a crappy attitude. No relationships will improve without a change of heart.
I think what we need are joyful hearts. Joyful in serving God in what ever we do.
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."- Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)
We need to show the love of Jesus to our family and friends, not keep it to ourselves. Jesus says we should let our light shine. He isn't just talking about times where it is easy, but also times that are extremely difficult. Let me tell you a story...
Brother Lawrence, was a 17th century monk that was a member of a Paris monastery. However, Brother Lawrence was not the greatest monk. Actually he was the least - the cook. Although Brother Lawrence was never at the top of the food chain in the monastery, he glorified and honored God in whatever way he could, and he was extremely joyful to do so!
I have read stories of Brother Lawrence, being lame, traveling all over Europe to attain special communion wine. Although the journey was extremely difficult and painful because he was lame, he was still extremely joyful in doing so because it was an opportunity for him to serve God. How amazing is that?
People from all over Europe would travel to the Monastery, JUST TO SEE HIM WASH DISHES because he was so joyful doing so!!! And through his actions and joyful heart, people were changed. And we complain if we have to make our beds, help our parents with a chore, or clean up? Truly this is not how we should act!
I have realized the most tedious and annoying tasks can be used to glorify God and show love to others.
I know our living situations might not be the most ideal, but we cannot let that stop us from showing God's heart to our families. Because honestly, that is the only way their hearts will be changed.
It doesn't matter if you are the youngest in your family, or the least respected, or the one that has been wronged and hurt over and over: It is time to be the bigger person. It is time to be the more mature person. It is time to show Jesus to them. It is time to show love and forgive. What better Christmas gift is that?
So I challenge you and myself: Whether it is taking out the garbage, cleaning, cooking, or even obeying your parents' orders. Do it with a joyful heart, and they shall see Christ. Their hearts will be changed. It might not be over night, but the process will be ignited.
This will not only honor them, but your Heavenly Father. And He will be overflowed with joy seeing that His servant is serving others with the heart of Christ.
Have a Merry Christmas! Don't forget about Jesus, who loves you no matter what you have done.
May you be seized by the power of a great affection that IS the grace and love of Christ!
A ragamuffin made clean through nothing more than God's grace,
David
PS: Feels like this video relates a little bit. This is a little shameless plug for my friend James ;) What he does isn't always easy, but he does it with a joyful heart.
