Package Deal

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

– Matthew 2:1-2

For many folks, receiving and opening presents is the highlight of their Christmas morning. But giving to others is also satisfying — especially when the gift is significant or has a story behind it. So imagine how you would feel if you bought a particularly expensive gift while overseas, waited patiently while it passed through customs and then paid extra to ship it back home … and then later discovered that the recipient hadn’t even bothered to open the box!

God has also gone through extreme lengths to offer us a costly gift that we can never afford ourselves: total forgiveness of our sins and salvation through faith in his Son, Jesus Christ. But just like any other gift, this forgiveness and salvation is worthless unless we unwrap the package, and then accept it. 

That means:

• Accepting it with gratitude (because we didn’t pay for it). 
• Accepting it with humility (because we could never afford it). 
• Accepting it with joy (because God chose us when we didn’t deserve it).

It's Christmastime. But we don’t have to wait until December 25 to open a priceless gift that has our name written all over it. In fact, the Bible tells us that we can start untying the bows and shredding the wrapping paper … right now:

“For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you,’” we read in 2 Corinthians 6:2. “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Start Spreading the News

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

– Luke 6:21

If it leads, it bleeds is an old saying in the news business. Surf the web, turn on the TV or listen to a podcast, and you’re bound to come across story after story about pandemics, government corruption, natural disasters and degenerate behavior. The fact is that the media thrives off bad news and hyping the worst possible scenarios for maximum effect. After all, good news rarely drives ratings or sells ad space.

With bad news and scary headlines in such plentiful supply these days, how about counting our blessings and taking a much-needed break? It’s easier than you might think. For one week, make the effort to avoid TV —particularly news broadcasts or shows with a political bent. Keep away from the same type of content on social media. And don’t bother with newspapers and magazines. Even many of the so-called entertainment magazines have fully embraced politics.

At the end of those quiet seven days, maybe you won’t feel quite as informed as you would have had you stayed glued to Facebook or the evening newscast. But odds are that you’ll experience much less stress and enjoy a more positive outlook on life.

That’s sound advice for ditching the bad news. But what about finding something good for a change?

As Christ-followers, the Good News about Jesus is what gives us hope — plus a much clearer perspective on the future. And as we read in the Bible about the many promises God has kept over the centuries, our anticipation only grows as we ponder the amazing future that awaits us. It’s through our life-journey that we'll encounter much more than happiness — which comes from external things and circumstances — but joy, which springs from within through our relationship with God.

Is your life the stuff of headlines these days? Hang in there. Good News and the contentment that accompanies it are closer than you think!

Stress Test

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

– John 16:33

The holidays are idealized as special, fun-filled times with friends and family. The flip side, however, is the stress that accompanies them. And that can be more serious than a dinnertime disagreement with your in-laws. Stress is actually a life-and-death proposition that leads to cardiovascular disease, workplace injuries, sleep disturbances, ulcers and even cancer. In fact, the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine reports that healthcare expenditures are nearly 50% greater for workers who endure high levels of stress.

It's unfortunate that the Christmas season comes with such a hefty price tag — and we're not talking about those sky-high MasterCard and VISA bills that will arrive in January. Like the socks or sweaters you might receive from an aunt or distant cousin, Christmas-related stress comes in a variety of colors and styles. It can be physical, emotional and financial. And not only can Christmas strain your bank account, December 25 can bring emotional turmoil when it's a reminder of a broken relationship or the death of a loved one.

The vibrant reds and greens of Christmas often seem deep blue for many hurting people. And that's when God enters the picture.

The Bible tells us that long before the world was formed, our Creator knew our names. He knew when and where we would be born, what sort of lives we would lead, and when we would die. And he also knew that we'd need someone to save us from the consequences of our many failures and shortcomings. So God decided to do it himself by personally living out the human experience on Earth through his Son, Jesus Christ.

By literally becoming God among us, Jesus understands the stress of Christmas — and in ways we might not have considered. Leading up to that first Christmas when Jesus was born among a stable-full of less-than-spotless farm animals, Joseph and Mary (his earthly parents) were quite familiar with it. They experienced emotional stress from the scandalous rumors swirling around Mary's pregnancy. They endured physical stress from the grueling trip to Bethlehem mandated by the Roman census. And with money in short supply, financial stress was abundant.

But because he personally experienced it all, Jesus relates to our stress and sorrows, whether it's December 25 or any other day of the year. What's more, he's promised his followers — that's you and me — that he'll never leave them or forget them. So while the holidays may be stressful, it's through our Savior that we can always find peace of mind. May we never forget this calming passage from the book of Isaiah: 

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace — in peace because they trust in you.

Hope for the Best

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

– Psalm 43:5

It was a tiny investment that purchased hope for millions.

Haunted by the poor health conditions he encountered in the South Pacific during World War II, Dr. William B. Walsh persuaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower to sell him a navy hospital ship for just $150. And with the help of corporate and private contributions, the SS Hope was soon born.

The Project Hope website reports that the refurbished vessel’s maiden voyage involved the training of local healthcare professionals and the delivery of medical care around the globe. Gradually, the private volunteer organization called Project Hope expanded its impact and spread optimism for better days ahead. And over the next 60 years, it worked behind the Iron Curtain to improve health services for Polish children, launch HIV/AIDS prevention programs in Africa, help victims of the Bosnian war, and provide humanitarian relief to those affected by Hurricane Katrina and the Indonesian tsunami.

Most of us have never personally experienced the devastation of a tsunami, the effects of an Ebola outbreak or the ravages of a civil war. But we’ve all felt from time to time like our situation had spiraled out of control. And maybe you feel like that today — and for good reason. 

But have hope: God has it covered.  

This is a fundamental truth that every Christ-follower should embrace. But one reason we don't always feel his influence is because we can't see the big picture. We don’t know the life-changing people and situations that he’ll introduce to our existence. We also don’t have his vantage point of knowing what’s around the corner and miles up the road. Moreover, it’s hard for us to see a greater purpose in our lives when we're going through the pain of unemployment, lingering illness, family problems or even death. But God is in control. And for those who trust and follow him, he offers this assurance:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you,” says our Creator. “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Has life become a tidal wave of depression and frustration? Don’t ever lose hope. God knows what we need — and he knows it long before we ask him for help. 

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,” we read in the book of Micah. “I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.”