Yesterday I met a man who is the Christmas story! His name is Dennis. I know, you expected me to say Jesus and refer to an Advent Sermon. But, as I reflect on the incredible testimony and witness of faith, I am once again brought low to the humble manger scene and Christ's humble birth.
Hope is defined through adversity! Dennis is a local pastor who is afflicted with a brain tumor. His prognosis isn't real positive. He will die. Yet, when I saw him yesterday, he spoke of faith and gave praise to God. It is through his adversity that his faith is strongest. Dennis has every reason to give up and complain about his situation. Life has been very unfair to him. Yet, he didn't bad mouth his condition, he welcomed it and spoke of how his faith has grown. WOW! It is through adversity and testing that hope is born.
Mary and Joseph faced many hardships not to mention Herod's attempted on their young son's life! Yet as the Magi visited them, they realized that hope was born. Jesus was born in humble means and through adversity and yet his birth brought so much hope. Mary undoubtedly experienced the pain of giving birth but also would come to know of the inner pain of loosing a son to death on a cross. Yet, her courage is clear. In the scripture she held onto hope through out her life.
Today, as we face hardships and problems, may we experience hope. It will bring joy to our soul and carry us through any adversity.
Dennis has hope. That is why he can face such a difficult illness. It is why he has a living and wonderful testimony for others. He knows of a hope that the world did not and can not give! His hope is in the Lord.
Just remember today, friend, that our joy is not circumstance driven. It is based on eternal value.
Jesus is the reason!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Sunday, December 10, 2006
Waiting: What Mary has to offer!
Ever wonder about how Mary, the mother of Jesus, dealt with the waiting of her first born son? Now I know little of the physical and emotional attachments of pregnancy. Yet I wonder what it was like for Mary to have to wait for the birth of her first born son. The Bible offers a few brief glimpse. We see in the Song of Mary that she pondered the reality of giving birth to the King of Kings. Another example is the description that is given about Mary. The Bible says that Mary "pondered" in her heart the profound reality of an immaculate conception.
Perhaps the most interesting perspective on waiting is told of how Mary and her espoused husband, Joseph traveled miles to their home town of Bethlehem to register for the census. It must have been terribly alarming for this young expected mother. Every situation she was confronted with was new. This young couple would experience for the first time all things: awkwardness of a young relationship, moving, a strange pregnancy, living in humble circumstances (a stable), and the visitation of unknown messengers; shepherds and wise men. How incredible were her circumstances.
The many questions she must have had. She must have been overwhelmed!
It is interesting to me that we see Mary so patiently involved. The fact that Mary was so patiently waiting for the deliver of her son, our saviour. WOW! Her profound faith is evident. She took a promise and carried the hope for the world in her womb and gave birth to the One who would save her people, and us, from sin. The message of waiting is profound!
I find that Mary has such incredible understanding of the meaning of waiting. I find at least three ideas that come from Mary in how she was able to wait.
1. Her pondering included questions that deepened her faith.
2. She was willing to take the journey (to Bethlehem) because of a promise, though it was not yet realized.
3. Her faith was not dependent upon having all the answers before she acted.
There simple truths can be applied to our journey too. Our questions deepen our resolve to believe. We are waiting for a hope net yet realized fully. Our faith is not dependent upon having all the answers before we act according to our faith. May this Christmas, though we wait, bring us a renewed hope in Christ.
Perhaps the most interesting perspective on waiting is told of how Mary and her espoused husband, Joseph traveled miles to their home town of Bethlehem to register for the census. It must have been terribly alarming for this young expected mother. Every situation she was confronted with was new. This young couple would experience for the first time all things: awkwardness of a young relationship, moving, a strange pregnancy, living in humble circumstances (a stable), and the visitation of unknown messengers; shepherds and wise men. How incredible were her circumstances.
The many questions she must have had. She must have been overwhelmed!
It is interesting to me that we see Mary so patiently involved. The fact that Mary was so patiently waiting for the deliver of her son, our saviour. WOW! Her profound faith is evident. She took a promise and carried the hope for the world in her womb and gave birth to the One who would save her people, and us, from sin. The message of waiting is profound!
I find that Mary has such incredible understanding of the meaning of waiting. I find at least three ideas that come from Mary in how she was able to wait.
1. Her pondering included questions that deepened her faith.
2. She was willing to take the journey (to Bethlehem) because of a promise, though it was not yet realized.
3. Her faith was not dependent upon having all the answers before she acted.
There simple truths can be applied to our journey too. Our questions deepen our resolve to believe. We are waiting for a hope net yet realized fully. Our faith is not dependent upon having all the answers before we act according to our faith. May this Christmas, though we wait, bring us a renewed hope in Christ.
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