Your Season is the Reason

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 (ESV)

What is your season like?                               

Christmas is proclaimed to be the "hap-hap-happiest time of the year," but for many happiness seems beyond their reach. They are in a season that isn't bright or merry. I can't even begin to imagine the sadness filling the hearts of those in the community of the Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Broken hearts and spirits are not just found in stories that make the headlines, but in the hearts of your neighbors and friends. Even your family.

Illness has taken some captive. The death of loved ones...recent and even long ago...can rekindle the blaze of mourning at a time when it just feels like that loved one should be present. Loneliness overtakes many and the ache of a heart that's been broken cries louder than the tunes on the radio.

But Jesus came.

For your season.

Prophesy was fulfilled as He entered the world as an innocent babe...One who came with great purpose...to preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to comfort those who mourn-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Yes, your season is why He came.

He came to bring life...everlasting life...abundant and to the full.  It is personal. He came for you.

It is my prayer that you feel His presence tangibly as you walk through Christmas and the new year to come. May He bless you beyond measure.                                                                             

Repeat the Sounding Joy!

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds...." Deuteronomy 11:18 (NIV)

What's playing in your head?

You know how you get a song stuck on your mind.

Or the words someone said to you.

Well, I had a revelation that really hit home with me this week. I've mentioned before that we have a clock tower in our neighborhood that chimes the hour, quarter hour, half hour, and three quarter hour. Sometimes I hear it. Sometimes I don't. The funny thing is that sometimes I hear it even when it hasn't tolled.

Also, we've been keeping our radio tuned to our local Christian radio station which plays all Christmas music these days. Strangely, I've found myself "hearing" some of the songs even when it wasn't on.

The things we hear in our minds can be uplifting or can push us toward despair...whether music or words.

In this season where we're told, "It's the most wonderful time of the year," let's face it. It just isn't for everybody. Some folks face great struggles, hurt, loss, and sadness. I know. I've been there.

In those circumstances, the only source of true joy and hope comes from the Lord. In Nehemiah 8:10, we are reminded that "the joy of the LORD is [our] strength." Psalm 19:8 tells us that "The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart." And 1 Thessalonians 1:6 encourages us to do as the church at Thessalonica did as they "in spite of severe suffering...welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit."

Uplifting music helps. Especially that which comes directly from God's Word. And most importantly spending time reading His Word. His words are the ones we need to hear repeating in our minds. He loves us unfailingly. He loved us so much that He sent His one and only Son to earth where He experienced the struggles, hurt, loss, and sadnesses that we face. And He endured it for a purpose that was only accomplished through more suffering...on the cross.

To bring us victory. To bring us joy. To bring us peace.

He came "to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve...to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair."

Whether you find yourself wrapped up in the joys of Christmas or in a tangled mess, I pray that you will seek the One who can brings light into the darkness. And may you find yourself repeating the sounding joy.