Saturday, December 13, 2008

A Christ-centered Christmas

“Have a Christ-centered Christmas,” said someone earlier on this week as we parted. I find it odd how people find it necessary to remind others to orient their time around Christ this season—isn’t that why we have Christmas? Even pastors tirelessly preach about the importance of not indulging ourselves in the evil of consumerism and remind us to reflect on Christ during this season.

How far is society steering from Jesus for people to warn us of the evil surrounding the Christmas season? All around us, we witness people swarming into stores and throwing money at cashiers, in the process pushing and trampling others to receive happiness, acceptance, or maybe love—I don’t know anymore.

Instead, this time of year should highlight the hope that came from God, who left heaven and humbled himself for our sake (Luke 2:6-7) to free us of sin (Romans 3:23-24) and remind us of the hope that is in his return (Hebrews 9:28).

Enjoy your Christmas!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Out of the Comfort Zone

I often wonder if the army is where God wants me to work for him—I’m in the Canadian Infantry Reserve, if any of you are wondering. Sure, running around and getting paid to do cool stuff like flying in helicopters and using assault boats sounds fun, but I wonder how I’m fulfilling God’s will during this time, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

In fact, I make it a priority to surround myself with Christians in my life so that we may build each other up, and here I am learning to shoot more efficiently so that I will be a better soldier.

Then, God intervenes with acts of his providence, giving me opportunities to share my faith in Jesus Christ and even pray with a few of my friends— I guess its God’s way of telling me that he still has plans for me in the army. And although it is important to have that Christian foundation of friends to encourage one another, I believe that God calls us to, at times, leave what we invest in and fulfill his will. Maybe this is why Jesus says, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:58).

Monday, December 8, 2008

A Walk of Faith

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11:1)

I received the inspiration for my blog’s title from Hebrew 11:1, as I’m drawn to share how my faith in Jesus Christ influences my life with anyone interested in reading about it.

From this verse, the chapter develops into an incredible testament for a God who is prevalent in our lives, as it includes a compilation of people throughout the bible who did what many would consider unbelievable things by faith, and their faith resulted in phenomenally changed lives. Hopefully, this blog also serves as a testament for a God who isn’t distant, but is with us every day.

Hebrews 11:1-40