Last year I got in on one of those sweet “Pay it forward” chains where I payed for the coffee for the people in the car behind me. That kind of thing makes me smile, just as does participating in Operation Christmas Child, The Angel Tree and other giving opportunities do.
There's no time we're better about spreading a little happiness than Christmas.
All this giving reminds me of a man whose story takes place on the rooftop. His goal? He wanted to get into the house below. Contrary to what you might be thinking, he wasn't wearing a red suit and I highly doubt there was ho ho ho-ing.
But you know the story. It goes like this.
Luke 5:17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Then Jesus told the man to get up, take his mat and walk. This man was two kinds of healed. His body was made physically well, and more importantly, his sins were forgiven
It’s important to to acknowledge that this guy had good people.
They didn't buy him Starbucks, give him a gift card or bake him a loaf of chocolate bread. (Well maybe they did. If they did, good on them. Gifts are great. I kind of like them.)
They executed a much better giving plan.
They battled a bustling crowd to get their friend right before Jesus, knowing Jesus was just what he needed.
(When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles)
Their persistence led to the physical healing they sought for their friend.
Their faith led to something much greater; the gift of eternal life. (When Jesus saw their faith...)
Three of the rows on the string of lights wrapped around our palm tree out front are already out. They're lacking a proper connection to the light source.
Like other lights, their glow is borrowed and temporary.
Dimming light isn't the only kind of light we're bearers of.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12
So don't stop at paying for someone’s Starbucks order. Don’t stop at giving gift cards. Or making smiles on Christmas morning.
Our family, friends (and those we haven't met) need more.
God has granted his children a constant and everlasting light source that He intends for us to share. May He grant us (along with it) persistence and the power to always believe.
- Who needs you to believe (on their behalf)?
- What friends do you have whose light is dim from loss and heartbreak?
- What about those who stumble in darkness, not yet knowing The Light? Will you take them before Jesus?
This little light of mine is connected to something much brighter.
