Bobservations Column
by Pastor Bob Lawrenz
If we were to listen to an old Andy Williams Christmas
Album, we would learn that the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years is
the happiest and most wonderful season of all. As we approach New Year’s Day
this week, we surely know that this joyous season is winding down to a close.
This of course, is
a worldy view based upon commerce, sales, gift-giving, kindness, love, and
compassion. It is also one of the most emotional times of the year. Folks get
melancholy about years past and forget that fresh, joyous memories can be made
every day. One does not need a holiday of any designation to be generous, and
look for special moments to share with others.
Since we are more
than certain that Jesus wasn’t born precisely on December 25th,
perhaps this is the real message of the holidays: we can be loving and generous
24/7/365 days each year. It is a choice to live that way; it’s a choice to make
any moment special.
As New Year’s
Resolutions are being formulated this week, this is one resolution that
exemplifies our faith and puts it into action. Good works follow after faith.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Good News that Jesus encouraged us to spread
to the four corners of the earth. And if you think about it, Paul’s Epistles are the practical
application of Jesus’ Good News. Paul writes about his experiences in making every day
count for Jesus. And within Paul’s words, we hear of successes, and days that were less so.
Planting seeds is not an exact science. Some seeds will be carted away by
scavengers, others will fall on rocky terrain, but some will fall on good soil,
ready to sprout with new life. Many of Paul’s statements in the Epistles might
give us the understanding that one seed fallen in good soil is worth all the
fruitless results of the rest. “…I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.”
Philippians 1:18(b)
Paul found his joy in the sharing of the
Gospel, not in the success of his ministry. Paul knew well that it wasn’t him that
brought growth. His mission and calling was as ours: spread the Gospel. These
are truly special moments: Obedience to Jesus, and joy in the possibilities!
“For the preaching of the cross is
to them that perish foolishness;
but unto us which are saved, it is
the power of God.” – 1 Cor. 1:18
