Clay in the Hands

Yesterday’s sermon was the beginning of a series we are calling, The Family Resemblance.  Over the next couple of weeks, we will be talking about and thinking through the need for us to look like Jesus.  God calls us to this lofty task and not only that but our world needs us to be the light in a dark place.

As we work through this series, there will be one aspect that remains constant through all of it and that is my challenge to you today.  We must make time to be with Jesus on a daily basis if there is to be any hope of us becoming more like him.

Yesterday, I asked our folks to think about why they decided to follow Jesus in the first place.  You see, most of us go through times on our journey when we lose that original passion and excitement.  If we are to strive to be like Jesus, I believe we must do so out of conviction and commitment but also with passion.

I must confess, as I did to our congregation yesterday, that over the last couple of months, it seems my relationship with Christ has grown stale.  My prayer has become that of the Psalmist who said, “Create in me a pure heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”  I long for that passion to follow Jesus.  I desire to be more like him today than I was yesterday.

I invite you to this prayer today as well.

We are only a couple of days away from Christmas.  In some of my reading this morning, I reflected on the holiness of the season.  We celebrate, at this time of year, the birth of a holy and pure baby, just over 2000 years ago.  None had ever been born like him and no baby since can compare.  He was completely different – because he was God in flesh.

People came from all around to see this miracle.  Shepherds were visited by angels who gave them the news that the savior of the world had been born and so they came to see.  Religious men from Persia followed a star for days to see this child.  Not only did they travel a great distance, they brought gifts with which to honor him.

As we move through the final days of getting ready for Christmas – as make sure we have purchased all those last minute gifts and made all the last minute arrangements, take a minute today to slow down and think about your gift for the King.

We think about God’s gift of Jesus to us at this time of year, but how often do we think about what we can give back to a holy child?

What gift will you bring for the King this year?

This morning I was third in line at a red light as I headed to the office.  As I sat, waiting for the light to change, my mind was on all the things I need to get done today.  I reviewed my appointments and To Do list in my head.

As I sat there, the turn arrow came on, and had there been any cars in the turn lane, that would have been their signal that it was safe for them to proceed through the intersection.  The two cars in front of me took off – heading straight through the intersection.

Now, as I said, the arrow had come on for the turn lane, but the green light had not come on for my lane.  Luckily, there were no cars in the oncoming turn lane trying to turn or we would have had a fender bender right there.

I have had the experience of sitting at a light before and seeing the arrow light up out of the corner of my eye.  My reaction was to start off through the intersection until I realized it was the signal for the turn lane and so I stopped.

I say that to say, I understand the driver of the first car making the mistake and heading through the intersection.  But it is harder to understand why the second car followed suit.

As I drove on to work, I began thinking about how many people miss the signs all together and simply follow the crowd.

In this particular instance this morning, no one was hurt, but it could have been ugly.

Isn’t this true in life as well – particularly in our spiritual journey?

Jesus calls us to a personal faith – a one on one relationship.  We must own our faith and not just accept the faith of our parents and others.  I am not saying the faith of your parents and other people of influence in your life is wrong.  But I am saying that your faith must be your own.

Your relationship with Jesus is just that – yours.  Live it intentionally.  Not just following the crowd.

Be blessed today!