Reaching Out

Dear Worshipers,

Now that we are officially past Halloween, are you beginning to think about Christmas? Does the thought paralyze you with the list of things that need to be done between now and then? Don’t worry I have not forgotten about Thanksgiving, one of my favorite holidays in the entire year which I will address in a subsequent issue, but I want to think about the true nature of Christmas for just a few moments today.

What is the true nature of Christmas? We all know the story, but what was the point of it? Jesus incarnation. He became one of us. There was no other way to save us. For us to tell the story of Christmas best, we must live it first. We must incarnate with people, being willing to walk with them in the difficult times. This requires us to reach beyond ourselves.

Reaching out. How good are you at that? Is it easy for you to reach beyond yourself and identify with, and then help meet the needs of others? Or is difficult for you to even think about engaging in such an activity?

If it is difficult for you to even imagine reaching beyond yourself there could be a number of reasons. Maybe you are just too busy. Maybe you are too self-focused. Maybe you are not doing what the Lord created you to do. Whatever the circumstance I want you to realize that a change is necessary.

As we quickly approach the Christmas season, I want to challenge you again as I did a month ago. What are you going to do that will be a true reaching beyond yourself? You had better begin planning, or at least clearing some time in your schedule for the Lord when He provides the opportunity. Invite someone to the Christmas musical, or the Christmas Eve service. Visit someone in the nursing home. Have some neighbors over to just sit and talk. Call up an old friend who has been on your mind lately. Reach out, and be prepared for what God will do through you.

In Christ,

Pastor Scott