We are making preparations for Thanksgiving this week, which mostly means thinking about all of the amazing food that we will share with friends. As usual, Christmas is trailing right behind Thanksgiving. In this particular season, some things that come to mind are: lots of amazing food, Christmas music, Christmas trees, crackling fires in the fireplace, cold weather countered with cozy warm clothes, coffee steaming in the cold morning air, snowfall, and lots of memories as we prepare to bring in the New Year. This is a season of joy, gatherings, and happiness.
Yet, as I sit here this morning, the scene of the crucifixion continues to play over and over in my head. In every blow delivered to Jesus and the shouts of mockery towards Him, I can feel God wrapping His arms around me. I can hear God saying that I am worth it, that you are worth it. All of the wonderful comforts of this season are nothing in light of the love of my Father, my Savior, my Friend, my King, my Creator, my God. It can be so easy to get caught up in the seasonal festivities, but in light of eternity, I feel as if God is reminding us all of His goodness and presence, and that this season of gathering is an opportunity for all of us, His church, to step into the lives of our families and friends and bring the kingdom of God to them. I want to challenge you and myself this season to begin praying for all of the family members and friends that you will see during the holidays. Pray for God to show you ways to demonstrate the deep and confounding love of our Daddy God towards them. I want to leave you with this quote from one of my favorite people, C.T. Studd,
“Let us not glide through this world and then slip quietly into heaven, without having blown the trumpet loud and long for our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Let us see to it that the devil will hold a thanksgiving service in hell, when he gets the news of our departure from the field of battle.”
The Crazy Lawson Tribe 