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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"The Gift Of God"
December 22, 2010
I wasn't even sure I was going to go. It had been a long day. I was pretty
sure that no one would even miss me if I decided to stay home. Yet there
was something nagging at the back of my consciousness that said, "Go!
You will be blessed."
As it got closer to the hour I decided that it might do me a bit of good to
get out and be a part of something bigger than me. At 4:15 p.m. I put aside
the objections and headed downtown to march in memory of those who
died homeless. It was a short walk. It went from Franklin Square to
Howard Brown Park in fifteen minutes.
As the program began, Rev. Greg Perry spoke about the fact that many
of the homeless people never dreamed they would find themselves out on
the streets until the day it happened. You lose your job. Your relationship
falls apart up. You get caught up in addiction. Your world crumbles around
you. The next thing you know you are living on the street trying to survive
day by day.
A thought hit me. Where do you go when hope disappears? I looked up
and saw the full moon high in the sky. I couldn't help but think of a star that
appeared on the horizon about two thousand years ago. It came to rest over
a stable in the city of Bethlehem. It shined down on a couple of travelers
who found themselves temporarily homeless. They were seeking shelter, as
the woman was about to give birth to her first born son.
As I stood in the cold I thought about the God who hears the cry of the
helpless. I don't know what is going on in your life this Christmas, but I
know this: the true gift of God won't be found at Kohls, Sac's Fifth Avenue
or Toys R Us. It can only be found in that manger. It is a sign that says,
loud and clear, that God loves you. He knows what you have been going
through. He will be by your side and see you through.
I pray that this Christmas that you will look beyond the tinsel and see the
love of God that stands there waiting for you to unwrap it. The answer to
your prayers can be found in him. Merry Christmas!
God bless. See you in church.
Cal
December 22, 2010
I wasn't even sure I was going to go. It had been a long day. I was pretty
sure that no one would even miss me if I decided to stay home. Yet there
was something nagging at the back of my consciousness that said, "Go!
You will be blessed."
As it got closer to the hour I decided that it might do me a bit of good to
get out and be a part of something bigger than me. At 4:15 p.m. I put aside
the objections and headed downtown to march in memory of those who
died homeless. It was a short walk. It went from Franklin Square to
Howard Brown Park in fifteen minutes.
As the program began, Rev. Greg Perry spoke about the fact that many
of the homeless people never dreamed they would find themselves out on
the streets until the day it happened. You lose your job. Your relationship
falls apart up. You get caught up in addiction. Your world crumbles around
you. The next thing you know you are living on the street trying to survive
day by day.
A thought hit me. Where do you go when hope disappears? I looked up
and saw the full moon high in the sky. I couldn't help but think of a star that
appeared on the horizon about two thousand years ago. It came to rest over
a stable in the city of Bethlehem. It shined down on a couple of travelers
who found themselves temporarily homeless. They were seeking shelter, as
the woman was about to give birth to her first born son.
As I stood in the cold I thought about the God who hears the cry of the
helpless. I don't know what is going on in your life this Christmas, but I
know this: the true gift of God won't be found at Kohls, Sac's Fifth Avenue
or Toys R Us. It can only be found in that manger. It is a sign that says,
loud and clear, that God loves you. He knows what you have been going
through. He will be by your side and see you through.
I pray that this Christmas that you will look beyond the tinsel and see the
love of God that stands there waiting for you to unwrap it. The answer to
your prayers can be found in him. Merry Christmas!
God bless. See you in church.
Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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