Have you ever been left incapacitated
by fear? Has it left you completely frozen in place or did you find
yourself running like you've never run before? It's amazing how a
simple, three-letter word (boo!) can cause one to jump higher than
any Michael Jordan slam dunk.
Even though we can analyze in our heads
it was only our friend or cousin standing on the pathway, that basic
act of whispering "boo" sends one into action as they
high-tail it for safety, familiarity and some sort of source of
light.
The spiritual parallel here seems so
obvious as I sit and type this, but on a dark path, with my mind
wandering/questioning the unknown shadows around me; I can often be
left more skittish than I'd like to admit.
On this Christmas Eve you may wonder
what fear and Christmas have in common, but I can only imagine the
hesitant moments of fear Mary, and even Joseph, felt as they began
the journey to bring Jesus into this world. We can easily read ahead
and know the rest of the story, but they walked it out step by step,
day by day in the midst of family, friends, neighbours, the priests
in the synagogue and many others.
In Luke 2:29 the angel Gabriel says to Mary, "Do not be
afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God."
In the midst of the young, teenager's
journey I can only imagine the many times Mary needed to remind
herself of the words from the angel Gabriel. "Do not be
afraid."
Scripture is a powerful tool when we
find ourselves fearful, frightened and even downright unnerved to the bones. Memorizing scripture and quoting it to
ourselves, even out loud, reminds us of God's truth and the power of
His word.
"We take captive every thought
to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Cor. 10:5
So what if I purposed to take captive
my mind and my thoughts? What if I planted God's truth deep into the
recesses of my mind and heart - to be pulled up at any given moment
to remind me of my God? What if I always kept my feet walking God's
lighted pathway so I'd never fear the dark?
"Your word is a lamp to my
feet
and a light for my path." Ps. 119:105
Merry Christmas from our house to yours. May the peace from our Heavenly Father, which passes all understanding, rest in your hearts today.
Jo-Ann
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