When I think about this quote from David Jeremiah I zero in on the word “belongs.” We all have our posessions, our things that “belong to us,” and we are very protective of each and every item. If stolen we have no problem giving a detailed list of what was missing hoping for a speedy return of that which was taken. It does something to us to have someone steal our things. Once when this happened to my sister she told me after the person stole their mail and broke into their home that she felt violated and it really made her mad.
As Christians we should feel that protectiveness when it comes to the most valueable possession we can have, our relationships with Jesus. We should be so alert to it that we would know immediately if it was ever stolen. Unfortunately we aren’t that alert. Not like we are with our expensive camera, high definition TV, and mink coat. More often than not we don’t even realize He was stolen in the first place.
Recently at our Christmas program at the church it was time for the two-year-old through fourth grade kids to be front and center on the stage. As they prepared to do their play the whole stage was full of cute little angels tripping over their wings and playing with their halos. As they began their opening scene Mary and Joseph took their place kneeling behind the manger where a doll playing the part of Jesus was laying wrapped snuggly in a cloth.
As each child was busy speaking their part one of the angels, a two-year-old girl, caught site of Jesus. She was so fascinated by the baby Jesus that she would walk over to the manger and take Jesus out. After unwrapping Him she would walk Him off the stage and lay Him down in different places. Graciously the kids playing Mary and Joseph tried their best to deal with the situation. When the adult at the front of the stage distracted the little angel they would run and get Jesus and put Him back where He belonged only to be stolen again the minute the angel noticed He was back in the manger. Each time this took place those who could see what was going on roared with laughter. Those in the back that couldn’t see sat in silence.
Polical correctness, busyness, distractions, and selfishness all are working together to steal out of the manger of our hearts what needs to be there, Jesus Christ. What rightfully belongs to us is being stolen and we don’t even know it. We are like those in the back of the room that don’t have a clue what is going on.
Now is the time to be front and center on the stage of our lives paying attention to what is happening. So alert that when Christ has been taken away from us we know it instantly and we immediately get Him back to where He belongs. After all, Christ doesn’t belong to the world He belongs to us or better yet we belong to Him. He’s not a seasonal gift that is taken out of a storage box in time for Christmas only to be put away with all the other ornaments from the tree to spend another year in a darkened storage room.
Christ paid dearly for us to have Him in our lives, it would do us well to be protective of that and treasure it in our hearts. Instead of replacing Him with all the things we try to get done for the Holiday lets keep Him front and center where He belongs, in a place where we can see when He is immediately gone.
Its one thing to have something stolen from us but it’s a whole different ball game when we “allow” it to be taken out of carelessness. Indeed, carelessly neglecting that which is ours by actions of our own making. We need to stop it and take ownership of our relationship with Jesus and turn it into something worth protecting with a Savior worth keeping.
Is Jesus stolen out of your life or did you neglect the door of your heart and allow Him to walk away? Its never too late to get Him back. It’s never too late to start protecting that which is yours.
Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Birthday, Jesus. We love you!
© 2011 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing
6 comments:
Nice post.
I am guilty of being distracted from Him during the holiday season. May I learn to celebrate rightly.
Thanks for selecting this this week, Kari...I needed to ponder it today!
I have found over the past few years that Christmas actually is much more joyful for me when we have no money ;o) With unemployment struggles, even now that things are getting a bit easier every month, our girls know that there we can't do a lot for Christmas, and so we get to focus so much more on the true blessings of the holiday season . . . . family and friends, being together, and celebrating the birth of our Savior. Thanks so much for sharing this quote with us this week. Have a blessed Christmas and a joyous New year, and we'll be back in touch after the holidays. Nina
Hi again ;o) Thanks for your post on my blog . . . . perhaps I just missed it, but I don't remember hearing that you had been diagnosed with cancer. I apologize that I did not follow-up on that and pray for you. Please let me know how you are doing now so that I can pray for you through the holiday season and on into the new year. Hugs and prayers for you and your family, Nina
Thank you so much for hosting this week! This was such a great quote and the perfect timing and good reminder!
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