In just a few days the Christian world will slow down…stop even…and celebrate the birth of our savior. If you’re not done with your Christmas shopping and other preparations, don’t freak out. Take a deep breath. It will all get done and what doesn’t get done probably doesn’t actually need doing. Don’t worry about it.
Instead, consider setting your mind on something higher. I have an idea.
It came to me yesterday as I was reading. I came across a familiar verse that struck me differently than it has before. Psalm 1:3 reads:
“They are like a tree planted near streams of water that yields its fruit in season. Its leaves never wither; whatever they do prospers.”
Two questions:
1. Who are”They?”
2. What is their fruit?
To answer the first question we have to go back a verse or two to learn that they are
“those who do not follow the counsel of the wicked, nor go the way of sinners, nor sit in company with scoffers. Rather, the law of the Lord is their joy.”
They, it would seem, are God loving, God fearing human beings. People who desire to understand and live God’s law. If you’re reading this blog, you’re quite likely one of them. We are “They.”
So, what is our fruit?
In 1 John 3:1, we are reminded that the world doesn’t know us. The world doesn’t recognize Christians.
“See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.”
But is that all? Do we just leave it at that and let ourselves off the hook? After all, the world doesn’t know us as Christians because they don’t know the Lord. That’s between them and God.
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
The way I read it, 1 Corinthians 1:16 makes it clear. We are not off the hook. Yes, it is true that many people don’t recognize us as Christians because they do not know the Lord. I believe it is equally true that we can choose to put aside our judgmental, self-righteous, fearful selves and let the Spirit shine within us. And when we do, we become the walking, talking embodiment of God’s love.
That’s our fruit!
So here’s my idea. Let’s use these next 12 days to lean into the Lord and let him light us up with love for others…so much so that even those who don’t know the Lord, will know something different in us.
Today is day 12. We’ll start here and count down, each day making a point to be fruitful lovers of the Lord through 12, then 11 then 10 loving acts, and so on, until, finally, on Christmas day we focus on one loving act for the one and only Jesus Christ our Savior.
You can always do more…but let’s face it, things get busy the closer we get to the big day, so counting down may work out nicely. And remember, a loving act can be as simple as a smile to a stranger or as big as paying someone’s bill. No matter how small or big, if we let God lead, this good is sure to prosper.
I’m going to give it a try. I hope you’ll join me.
Today, 12 acts of love.
Go!