Being, Doing, and Having

Today's sermon really penetrated deep to my heart--a good sign that my heart has changed at least a little over the past couple of weeks. Our pastor provided a different look at Matthew 2, where the Magi come to see Jesus.

Now I won't bore you with all the details, not that it was a boring sermon, actually quite the opposite. The point was pretty simple, that Christmas is about finding Jesus, being with Him, discovering Him in new and different ways and ultimately being changed by our encounters with Him.

It's interesting that theme came up again today as I was flipping through channels tonight. I stopped for just a minute to listen to part of the sermon from Church on the Rock (St. Louis) and their pastor was talking about having an "extreme makeover." In order to do that we need three things: to be with Christ, to do His Will and the and only then will we be in alignment and have the life He has planned for us.

Pretty simple message really, yet it's one that is so counter culture this time of year when the emphasis is on doing (shopping) and having/getting (presents). As my pastor pointed out today, the Magi actually stopped and worshiped Jesus before they ever presented any of their presents--simply "being" in His presence.

Okay, now follow me here. I don't have to be hit by a truck to see a recurring theme today. So instead of worrying about shopping or Christmas plans, I need to "be" with Christ first. And that "be-ing" requires time with my Savior, especially when I feel the cultural pull and pressure of the "got to get it right/special time of year" mentality. Before I can really do anything, I need to offer my "sacrifice" of time and just "be."

Romans 12:1-2 puts it this way: Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Duh!! Can it get any clearer? At least not for me--today. It's about as clear/bright as that star that the Magi saw in the sky all those years ago. Now I may have bought a few presents already, but it's time to set them down, stop and worship my King. Until I do that, nothing else really matters, does it?

P.S. My husband reminded while I was writing this post, that we have the only dog in the world (okay, maybe a little exaggeration) that drinks fresh water out of a bowl that says, "Jesus is the reason for the season." Yup, God has a funny sense of humor!!

All this and Jesus too!
~Cheryl