Jesus Came to Our Chaos

Luke 2:4-12
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

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I drove by a live manger scene yesterday and it looked so tranquil and pleasant. As if Joseph and Mary were so happy to be placed in a barn to have their child that was supposed to be a blessing from God. The animals were there (gross, dirty, stinky animals) and the shepherds giving their praise (gross, dirty, stinky, shepherds). I have a feeling that the scene that we have painted is missing a few important key elements that might help us understand what was really happening on the evening our Lord and Savior was born. Elements like a king who was searching for and trying to kill the child, questions from Joseph-- such as, why is it that his wife has to give birth to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in a stable? Is this Jesus really all that He has been promised to be? Then there is Mary who is very excited about following the Lord and when she looks up to see who is knocking on the door to visit this wonderful, miraculous conception. Mary, like any of us, would be looking for a confirmation that she really did hear from the Lord and this miracle would bring her to a better place in life. As she looked up she did not see Kings or wealth (that did not come until Jesus was around 2 years old), she saw dirty, possibly toothless, shepherds and animals. This great promise that was given her did not necessarily change their world in a positive way. Instead, they were on the run from an army that was bent on killing her new born, Joseph had lost his job, their new friends were peasants and barn animals, and their future was as uncertain as it had ever been.

This is the world that the Lord chose to enter into. It was a world full of chaos and unknown factors. So, does this encourage you? Does this help you feel better about Christmas, now that you see a new perspective?

It helps me. Let me explain. Jesus came to bring peace into a broken world. He did not come into a perfect world and try to make a difference. When Jesus takes part in our lives it is the same. He is not coming into a perfect life and asking the person if they are interested in help. Just today, I asked the Lord to come and touch my heart and make His dwelling more significant than it was yesterday. I would like to say that Jesus is getting a good deal. But the truth is He is getting a man who walks in fear every day of his life. He is getting a person who has questions about the promises that have been told to him and why does it seem those promises are not on the horizon. He is making his dwelling in a heart that has expectations of a life that is supposed to look a certain way and on a daily basis has to surrender those emotions and feelings so they don’t overtake his will and lead him to destruction. He is receiving a man that has been blessed on a constant basis from the Lord with favor and has been provided for every step of the way, but still questions and doubts if God is big enough to keep His end of the bargain going. When Jesus agreed to dwell in my heart this morning he received a human; that at his best is still doubtful, fearful, and broken.

I am not proud of any of this, but find myself thankful for the manger scene. The scene is a child of peace that entered the world of broken people and gave His very life to see them find hope and peace.


Lord,

I accept your peace and hope and pray that you mix those two miracles and create a joy in my heart that makes me a better human. Forgive me for my doubt and fear. I wish that there were a way to kill that part of my heart and mind. Possibly, you placed it there to assure that I would run to you every day. Thank you for stepping into our chaos and bringing life where there was once death and dismay. Thank you for my marriage, for my children, for my family, and for my friends. You have truly blessed my life and I ask that you help me look around the stable of my life and be thankful.

I love you Lord. Kristopher

New Mercies I See

I awoke at 5:00 AM this morning. Usually, when I wake up early it is due to bad dreams, hard thoughts, or me being worried about someone. This morning, as I sit here, I do not feel any of those negative fears or tumultuousness. There is a peace in my life right now. A peace that has nothing to do with circumstances and yet everything to do with circumstances. Let me explain. My wife and I have been on an amazing journey this last two years. Throughout this journey excesses in our lives have been stripped of us. This has not been an easy road to travel, however, the Lord has walked every step with us. We are now in the part of the journey where we begin to rebuild. As I look at relationships, finances, living quarters, forms of transportation, a place to serve the Lord and teach others about Christ, and a church family for my kids and marriage to grow with, it seems the Lord has put everything we need in place. There are many days that we are tempted to look back into the past and allow what I call spiritual vertigo to set in. (When the whole world starts spinning and you feel like getting into the fetal position.) Yet, those days seem to be farther and farther away and what is in place today is beginning to speak louder than the difficult steps of the past.

As we begin to rebuild our lives the most important thing that I have learned is to simply surrender to the Lord and allow Him to piece it together in His time. You see-- it is not my job to build anything or to hold it together. That job description belongs to the Lord and He knows exactly what He is doing. So, on this fine morning I sit and watch my darling wife sleep, I ponder on my meetings of the day and wonder who I might meet or encourage, and I smile knowing that I am not in control.

Lamentations 3:22-26
22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him.
26 It is good that one should wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord.

Dear Lord,

I thank you for touching my heart and teaching me to trust you. Thank you for each blessing in my life. Please use me today and allow what you have done and who you are in my life shine through me. Thank you that your mercies are new every morning.

Your son,

Kristopher