Posts
This is taken from the blog I Take Joy. I was struck by the truth in her words, and struck by how many people I've heard from this year who've shared that this is a particularly hard, lonely season. Read on to see what Sally Clarkson has to share on the subject...
"We were made for friendship. Our hearts are prewired to be loved, to belong, to celebrate and share life together, in community–to bear each other’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.
And so where would the evil one attack?
He would separate us to be alone, vulnerable, weak as one by ourselves in the battle for souls, so that we cannot be strong, joining arm in arm, heart to heart.
He would isolate us in neighborhoods where we live alone, with no knowledge or shared life with those nearest to us in proximity. With values and faith and ideals, that separate us from the world, but impossible to uphold alone.
He would break the close bonds of fellowship that church was made to uphold, the body knit together, and let us go to large buildings filled with noises of music, people all around with nary an intimate friendship.
Loneliness, an epidemic. Here is the battleground.
That feeling in the dark of night that your life is invisible–Does anyone care? Does it matter that I keep dragging on day by day? Does anyone know the weariness of my soul? Do others swell with anger? Or wish for relief? or feel a lack of worth? Or want to quit and don’t even know what that means?
And so we gather, with food, drink, a little reprieve from real life, and touch someone else who shares our world. We gather to listen to His words. We gather to understand that our sacrifice is precious to the One who sacrificed all.
We gather to know we are not alone.
Our hearts are cherished and held by the one who counts our tears and sees our faith and knows our exhaustion.
We ponder Mary, alone on her journey through countries, through years of questions, through people seeking the life of her son, but because of her heart, her boldness to believe, Mary, finding favor with God, being chosen by him to bring His life into her home, so that the son of God would find comfort, beauty, love for the years he would live on earth.
A simple mother, whose heart gave all that He might have a safe haven to find rest for his baby soul.
And so, we meet to find strength, love, laughter, understanding and hope-the hope that keeps our feet on the path, our minds steadfast on our beliefs, our hearts willing to take another step of faith one more day, one more month, one more year, because once again, we know our life of giving and our love poured out is changing the world.
And so this is the message of Christmas–making time to love, giving time to talk, to share hearts to show compassion.
The gift of our time to listen and to share–it is what the baby did when he came for our sake and what we need and what will keep us worshipping a little longer.
and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
You are not invisible to Him, the one who came because He loved saw you and loved you.
Someone else in your life also needs to know this truth.
Today, invite a friend, call a loved one, take initiative to make room for encouragement so that your own soul needs will be met.
Buying one more thing will not satisfy. Investing love and heart time will restore, redeem, fill bring life and hope. Who needs you today? Who do you need to celebrate life with today?
Life happens when you open your door, invite and welcome, look into eyes and share life–
Wherever two or three are gathered, there I am in their midst…….
May God bless you with a new friend this season of celebrating the one who himself took initiative in our lives, so that we would not be alone.
