Could there be a more definitive message as we head into the Christmas Season? As you know, if you are a faithful reader of this blog, I choose to concentrate on the message of Christ rather than on the commercialization of this holiday. I don't condemn anyone who celebrates Christmas in the traditional manner -- [I love the sentimentality, the carols, and the memories, too] -- but I have come to be blessed by concentrating on the miracle of Christ's birth and its significance for the eternal state of man. And in order to do that, it's important that I share the same truth of the generous young woman in Walmart ... He is Alive and He is Real!
And my spirit rejoices as I see more and more people becoming emboldened to share Him with strangers in everyday circumstances. The very first time that Jesus made Himself known [in my presence] to a deeply wounded Beloved at our Inner Healing table, it changed my life forever. And I had those exact thoughts ... He IS Alive, and this encounter IS Real!
And the beauty of it all is that we don't have to carry titles in the Church, or be anyone walking in a special anointing -- we just have to be obedient and He can use us. As my creative husband is fond of saying, "Jesus can work with a pair of twos". In other words, we don't need to be the Ace, King, Queen, or Jack to be part of a winning hand for Jesus. If we are willing to say, "Here I am. Send me", He will combine your humble service with His authority and the power of the Holy Spirit to change lives. And that spells VICTORY over the darkness any day of the week!
It has been extremely exciting for me to witness His appearance in the most unexpected ways and times. I have seen Him touch the hearts of young men in a mall; invite a daughter of God [in a Walmart parking lot] to return to her first love; set a young man free in a training class that he had tried desperately to get out of; physically rest on the back of a dear friend as He led her to forgiveness and freedom; at the very moment of my mother's death as I sensed her spirit accompanying Him home.
I know the theme of this post may seem simplistic and may not have much meaning for you if you do not know Jesus as Alive and Real. But I honestly can't think of a better gift to give someone this holiday season than to make yourself available to Jesus. Ask the Lord to show you someone who needs to know He exists; someone for whom this season is difficult and lonely. Ask Him to tell you how to approach that person and what to say. I promise, He will show up! And remember, it's not about shining the light on yourself, but making it possible for His Light to shine into anothers life.
Here is a question posed by Oswald Chambers, the early twentieth-century teacher and evangelist: Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted— not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? I would add to that question this thought: Are you willing to make this holiday season more about helping Jesus touch souls than about more gifts?
And I would like to point out that this decision needs to be an act of your free will -- your obedience -- and not your emotions. There is a place for emotions as your soul recognizes what your spirit knows -- Jesus is present in this day and age, and He desires to have an encounter with everyone who will receive Him. But He likes to work with us to reveal Himself, and He wants it be our choice to do so. He doesn't want robots who accept Him because He can force a choice. It pleases Him when we follow His commandment to GO! We see it all over the Bible .... He said, "Go and make disciples; Go and baptize; Go deeper; Go into all the world and preach the gospel of the Kingdom; Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life." Well, sometimes the message of this Life [in Him] must be spoken in the middle of a Walmart, or in a parking lot.
It doesn't matter where it is. It only matters that you know He is Alive and He is Real and you are willing to share it with those who need to hear it. So, it is my prayer that as we approach the chaos and upheaval of the Christmas holiday, that you will be willing to sacrifice your time and yourself to introduce the Living Christ to someone who desperately needs Him!
Matthew 10:27 What I say to you in the dark (privately), tell in the light (publicly); and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim from the housetops [to many people].
