I recently listened to a Ted Talk about time management, and in that Ted Talk the speaker inferred that it is not about having enough time to do things, it is all about our priorities in life. If something is important to us, that becomes a priority, while other less liked tasks will become a non-priority.
Many of us will claim that we don’t have enough time in the day, but perhaps the real question is: what do we make a priority in our lives? Here at The Salvation Army, our priority during this insanely busy season is to provide food, toys, clothing, and a warm safe place for people in need, and so we set out to accomplish this by raising much needed funds at our Red Kettle locations. This vital campaign helps us ensure that no one goes hungry or without a Christmas in our community. This is daunting task, because it requires hundreds and hundreds of hours of manning a red kettle location during cold winter days by generous volunteers and additional hired bell ringers.
I would like to share with you an amazing story of generosity by one such volunteer. His name is Gary, and he has made bell ringing one of his priorities in life in order to help people in need. Despite fighting an epic battle of cancer in his life, last year alone Gary came out and rang the bell for The Salvation Army for over 60 hours during the month and a half long Red Kettle Campaign…and he’s back again this year to do the same!!
Gary has made it his mission to not only overcome his own personal health crisis, but to help others by ringing the bell at the red kettle. “I really love doing this, and I know that I am making a difference!” Gary said, as he stands all bundled up at the entrance of his local Walmart store. He never stops ringing the bell while we talk, each clang of the bell is another accomplishment in his life. You can hear him from the back of the parking lot, and every time Gary is out ringing that bell, you can rest assured he is smiling and welcoming shoppers warmly in the hopes that they will give…and give they do. His smile is infectious as is his personality. His priority? To help people in need despite his own daily health challenges. Gary could’ve stayed at home after being diagnosed, no one would have blamed him. He could have simply fought for his own life, that would certainly be understandable, but Gary has risen above his own mountainous challenge in order to tackle the challenges of others…by ringing that bell.
Gary’s story personifies for us the true meaning of Christmas.
It reminds us that giving is far better than receiving…that generosity and selflessness can touch the hearts of many by simply being willing and available to serve. The world needs more Garys in it.
It is so much more than just ringing a bell, it is the very heart of God living and becoming hands and feet in a very tangible way towards others. It is the countless acts of kindness shown to people when no one else is watching. It is giving God our very best instead of what is left over.
So let me ask you what are your priorities this Christmas?
We must tread lightly here, for to insinuate that we know the mind of God is dangerous territory. However, what we know of Him and that of human interaction with the Almighty, there are certainly forms of worship God hates. Do you think the term “hate” is too strong? Does God hate?
going to be peachy. But I believe God hates obligatory worship. Imagine if I were to give flowers to my wife simply because it’s the right thing to do, not that I want to, but rather because it’s expected. How do you think she would feel if, as I gave her the flowers, I said; “Here’s you weekly obligatory flower arrangement dear!”? Do you think she would enjoy them and feel loved in my gift of those flowers? Of course not!
Worship leader – beware! Worship was never about how good YOU sing or how Awesome your Guitaring or Piano-ing is… Seriously, if all we do in worship is try to emulate a Hillsong or Jesus culture/David Crowder concert, then we’re going about it all wrong and we need to stop!
Our worship of God ought not to be a circus displaying our vast array of talents for the world to see. Real worship isn’t about a concert or our aspirations to be the next big thing in the Top Ten CCLI Worship Leaders. All these things are earthly desires – as we strive for human accolades and praise.
We witness the habitual effects of alcoholism in our very parking lot, when we have to pick up a drunkard (almost daily) and escort him/her to a detox location. It is disheartening to see the utter waste of human life devoured by the bottle. It is very sad to see families ripped apart because of abuse brought on by intoxication and poverty due to the supporting of a habit.
I believe we have this big picture idea about God sometimes that leaves God this great big idea out there…but very seldom do we realize that He comes directly to us in our minuscule lives and wants to just hang out. He longs to connect in ways we have never anticipated or believed to be possible. Why is that? Why do we believe in this mighty God and yet, at times, fall short of believe He desires real, authentic relationship with us?
We Christians are often very good at quoting scripture, especially verses that bring us comfort and strength in times of need. These verses have a way of making us feel good and bring us relief in knowing that we aren’t alone and that we have One who goes before us on this faith journey. But I wonder how intricately do we know the passages that we cling to? Do we know a scripture’s complete context and the full understanding of the words we utter from memorized verses in whatever translation that we’ve memorized them from?
Jesus looked into Peter’s eyes, these same eyes that stared blankly at accusers while his lips denied his allegiance to his Teacher. Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. Not once, not twice, but three times – the same amount of times Peter had lied and denied Him. Imagine the conviction of that moment. Envision sitting there with the Son of Man and coming face to face with your shortcomings and failures? I am certain that the tears of shame would flow, and my heart would be rent.
Pastor's Ponderings 