Sunday, December 14, 2008
Christmas -- hopes and fears
This morning we heard another inspiring message at church and it inspired me to finally blog again. Honestly facebook has been sucking away my free time and it takes a while to get in the “mood” to write.
Anyway, this morning Dan discussed the last verse of O Little Town of Bethlehem: “...the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” Yes, Jesus is good news. Jesus is our messiah and savior. But Jesus is not safe. 2000 years ago it was not safe to be near Jesus. Mary and Joseph were not safe, the shepherds were afraid of the Angel, the wise men traveled far...Peter wasn’t safe, John wasn’t safe and neither should we be safe. Following Jesus means that, like the disciples, we leave what is most comfortable to follow him. Sometimes that is a life that leaves us feeling empty but safe. Sometimes that is leaving a situation where we are wealthy in things but purposeless in life...and I, for one, don’t like it.
I like my nice tree and my nice gifts and for everything to remain the same. But there is a time in all of our lives when it is time to risk. When it is time to step out in faith to change the world. A time to say ‘no’ to status and money and security and yes to a life worth living for God. And yet we cannot step too soon. We cannot step before the right time. Jesus lived 33 years before he walked to Jerusalem. He didn’t start his ministry until he was 30...until it was time. Jesus told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the gift of the Holy Spirit...for they had no power without it.
I just hope when it is time, I am ready because I don’t want to miss it.
