So here it is Thanksgiving.
And before we blink our eyes Christmas and New Year will be upon us.
Shopping for gifts, food for family meals, singing carols and worship songs, getting all dressed up in our “Sunday best” for the quick service at a fellowship, traveling to relatives houses for more food and gifts.... The same year after year after year.
What about changing it up some this year?
What about forgoing presents and gifts and wish lists? How would it effect our lives if all that money we spent on “stuff” we used to help the homeless, the hungry, the downtrodden, the lonely and outcast?
Are we really proclaiming Jesus by spending a thousand dollars on a new plasma TV (which is most likely made in a country where employees earn only one to three dollars per day), or eating till we are so full we feel sick, (then throwing enough away to feed a whole family again), or even having stores and shops open on that day (I think they should shut down and let family be with family for the whole day).
Are we showing the light of Jesus by not shouting to the world, enough is enough! Wake up and see the people around you! Open your ears and eyes, extend your hands, and remain quiet. Simply help without speaking.
Yes, I have sent out a wish list as well to my family members. I will miss seeing my son and many of my family. More than anything, I would love my family to be together. That would be the greatest gift of all.
Where do we draw the line between commercialism/capitalism and really seeing the world at this time of year? Are we, you and I, willing to forgo those extra pleasures we expect, and often times demand, to touch a life outside of our circle of comfort?
I challenge you to think about this. Giving up a gift, a comfort, so you can share “The Gift of all Comfort” seems like a pretty good way to go. But I will leave the final decision to you.
As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.
Walking a life journey,
David
